Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight kingpin, believes he doesn’t need a gold strap to label him as a champion.
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‘The Last Stylebender’ is currently one of the most fascinating fighters in the UFC. He is a skilled striker and also has amazing mic skills to entertain the fight fans. Moreover, the Nigerian-born has a charismatic personality which has made him a sellable UFC prospect.
In his seventh UFC fight in 2019, Adesanya became the new middleweight champion of UFC, and he still holds the title after defending it four times in the promotion. However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ claims that he doesn’t need the UFC belt to be called a champion.
“The belt. Oh, it’s quiet, I don’t. I just don’t know where it is right now. I bet Eugene knows where it is I don’t.” UFC champion Adesanya said in an interview.
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“I am not attached to that thing at all. I know who the f*ck I am.” He added.
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“I have been the champ before the belt. So yeah, but it’s heavy.” Adesanya concluded.
Who is Israel Adesanya fighting next?
The Nigerian-born UFC champion recently defended his title against his old rival Robert Whittaker in a rematch in February 2022. However, he will soon return to action in the first week of July.
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ATLANTA, GA – APRIL 13: (L-R) UFC President Dana White places the interim middleweight championship belt on Israel Adesanya after defeating Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision in their interim middleweight championship bout during the UFC 236 event at State Farm Arena on April 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Adesanya is currently on a two-fight win streak and will take on the number two middleweight contender, Jared Cannonier, next. The fight will headline UFC 276 at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, Las Vegas.
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Cannonier has had a good run in the promotion. He has only lost one fight in his previous six. He won a fight on the same card as Izzy at UFC 271 and demanded a title fight.
Interestingly, the UFC heard his demands and he will soon compete in his first ever title fight in the promotion. However, he must bring his best arsenal to the fight, as Adesanya is amongst the greatest of all middleweights.
What are your thoughts on the fight? What do you guys think about Adesanya’s words? Let us know in the comments section below.
