UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is as competitive as they come. How competitive you ask? The 33-year-old recently stated with utmost confidence that he ranked above Michael Jordan in terms of pettiness. Adesanya did not have to think twice before staking his claim with an example as to why he was pettier than the NBA icon.

Israel Adesanya recently became one of the first athletes officially sponsored by PRIME Hydration in the UFC. He sat down with the co-founder of PRIME, Logan Paul, for a chat, on his ImPaulsive podcast. Adesanya had an entertaining conversation for over an hour with Paul and co-host Mike Majlak.

During the conversation, the group discussed Adesanya’s rival Alex Pereira. ‘Stylebender’ had beaten the Brazilian in April at UFC 287 to reclaim the middleweight title that he lost to him in November 2022. Pereira was 3-0 up against Adesanya in their career meetings at that point.

After beating ‘Poatan’, Adesanya has been relentlessly trolling him and his kids. This prompted Majlak to call him the “king of petty.” Adesanya had a reaction typical of his personality.

Israel Adesanya labels himself the best at being petty

Responding to Majlak, Israel Adesanya said, “I’m the best.” He continued, “Michael Jordan’s right here and I think I’m just over here. Or maybe even like a notch above. I don’t want to say, shoutout to Mike, but like I think I like to believe I’m petty.”

Interestingly, even Jordan has been labeled petty for an incident involving him winning a bet that kept some children from getting free Jordan shoes. Similarly, Adesanya’s pettiness came to light after he targeted Pereira’s kids following the UFC 287 win.

He continued, “Because trust me, I will hold it, a grudge, on some people. I can let go of some things. Somethings I’ve let go of in life. Like, the first time [Alex Pereira] beat me he knocked me… oh no the second time he beat me and knocked me out, I let go of that.”

Adesanya recalled how Pereira’s son mocked him after the fight. Apparently, he had registered that incident in his mind and waited for the right opportunity to get back at the boy.

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He added, “I wasn’t like I’m gonna get that back, I need to get that back. I was just like you know what? that’s life… I let go of that but what his kid did to me after that fight, it hurt me the wrong way. I didn’t really hold on to it but it was sitting there… and when the time came I was like… that’s right, he did that sh*t.”

Read More: “U Know U S*ck”: Fans Rip Into Logan Paul For Getting Choked By UFC Champ

Adesanya received some backlash for picking a beef with Pereira’s kid but he remains unfazed. The champion is living life on his own terms and so far it has served him well.

What are your thoughts on Adesanya’s claims? Do you believe he is pettier than Micahel Jordan? And what do you think of him signing a deal with PRIME? Let us know in the comments below.

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