10-31-2018, 08:03 PM
Israel Adesanya right at home in New York as Kiwi middleweight prepares for UFC 230
Marvin France
Israel Adesanya is looking to extend his perfect MMA record at UFC 230 this weekend.
Israel Adesanya feels right at home under the spotlight in New York as the undefeated Kiwi prepares to take the next big step in his mixed martial arts career.
In just three fights, Adesanya (14-0) has quickly established himself as one of the UFC's hottest new stars and has been a man in demand since arriving in the 'Big Apple', where he faces fellow top-10 middleweight Derek Brunson at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).
The iconic Manhattan venue, for so long the 'Mecca of Boxing', has hosted one UFC event a year since 2016 and they are generally among the promotion's biggest.
Derek Brunson is the sixth-ranked middleweight in the UFC.
The first card at 'MSG', featuring Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez in the main event, set a promotional and venue record for live gate, while last year's card was headlined by a superfight between returning legend Georges St-Pierre and then-middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
This weekend Adesanya features on the main card of UFC 230 ahead of heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier's first title defence against Derrick Lewis.
The Nigerian-born Aucklander spent about 12 hours on Tuesday fulfilling media and promotional duties, which can be incredibly draining while managing a weight cut and fine-tuning preparations. And there is more to come throughout the week.
But for a man who has designs on the title and becoming a household name, Adesanya was happy to soak it all in.
"As I said in my UFC debut, pressure makes diamonds. So I'm not fazed, I'm not fussed and I'm handling this like a professional," he told Stuff from New York City.
"I pat myself on the back the way I'm handling everything because a lot of guys in my position would fail. They wouldn't even be able to handle the media obligations because they'd just repeat the same s... over and over again like a robot.
"I can't wait. It's just another day in the office. I'm enjoying the whole spectacle of it and it's beautiful to be in my position."
There is plenty at stake for 'The Last Stylebender' this weekend.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter
Israel Adesanya
✔
@stylebender
Just woke up to pee...?
What a night!! I got to feel the vibe of MSG before #UFC230 , soak in that energy.
But don't get it twisted, come saturday night, when it's time to dance under those lights...I will shine ?????
His most recent victory, over Brad Tavares in July, elevated him to ninth in the rankings. Victory against sixth-ranked Brunson would leave him right among the division's elite.
The 29-year-old had the chance to attend Madison Square Garden earlier this week as he sat courtside for the NBA game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
And Adesanya, who likes to visualise his bouts, used the experience to prepare for what's to come.
"I felt the energy of the crowd and the atmosphere of the place," he said. "I've done the same walk I'm going to do on Saturday night. I've actually seen it my head and I've done it in real life so my brain recognises this.
"I've visualised the fight as well so I'm already ahead of the game."
Brunson (18-6) is seen as Adesanya's toughest test to date, although he is coming off a first-round knockout to fifth-ranked Brazilian Ronaldo Souza.
The American's wild stand-up and high-pressure ground game makes for a dangerous opponent and Adesanya is taking nothing for granted.
But fully confident in his preparation, he only sees it going one direction.
"Anyone can beat anyone on any given night, it all depends on the individual," he said.
"If you don't show up you know what's going to happen. But I'm showing up and I feel like I'm already dialled in.
"It's my way or the highway, that's how I seeing it going Saturday night."
Stuff
Marvin France
Israel Adesanya is looking to extend his perfect MMA record at UFC 230 this weekend.
Israel Adesanya feels right at home under the spotlight in New York as the undefeated Kiwi prepares to take the next big step in his mixed martial arts career.
In just three fights, Adesanya (14-0) has quickly established himself as one of the UFC's hottest new stars and has been a man in demand since arriving in the 'Big Apple', where he faces fellow top-10 middleweight Derek Brunson at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).
The iconic Manhattan venue, for so long the 'Mecca of Boxing', has hosted one UFC event a year since 2016 and they are generally among the promotion's biggest.
Derek Brunson is the sixth-ranked middleweight in the UFC.
The first card at 'MSG', featuring Conor McGregor and Eddie Alvarez in the main event, set a promotional and venue record for live gate, while last year's card was headlined by a superfight between returning legend Georges St-Pierre and then-middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
This weekend Adesanya features on the main card of UFC 230 ahead of heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier's first title defence against Derrick Lewis.
The Nigerian-born Aucklander spent about 12 hours on Tuesday fulfilling media and promotional duties, which can be incredibly draining while managing a weight cut and fine-tuning preparations. And there is more to come throughout the week.
But for a man who has designs on the title and becoming a household name, Adesanya was happy to soak it all in.
"As I said in my UFC debut, pressure makes diamonds. So I'm not fazed, I'm not fussed and I'm handling this like a professional," he told Stuff from New York City.
"I pat myself on the back the way I'm handling everything because a lot of guys in my position would fail. They wouldn't even be able to handle the media obligations because they'd just repeat the same s... over and over again like a robot.
"I can't wait. It's just another day in the office. I'm enjoying the whole spectacle of it and it's beautiful to be in my position."
There is plenty at stake for 'The Last Stylebender' this weekend.
View image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on TwitterView image on Twitter
Israel Adesanya
✔
@stylebender
Just woke up to pee...?
What a night!! I got to feel the vibe of MSG before #UFC230 , soak in that energy.
But don't get it twisted, come saturday night, when it's time to dance under those lights...I will shine ?????
His most recent victory, over Brad Tavares in July, elevated him to ninth in the rankings. Victory against sixth-ranked Brunson would leave him right among the division's elite.
The 29-year-old had the chance to attend Madison Square Garden earlier this week as he sat courtside for the NBA game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
And Adesanya, who likes to visualise his bouts, used the experience to prepare for what's to come.
"I felt the energy of the crowd and the atmosphere of the place," he said. "I've done the same walk I'm going to do on Saturday night. I've actually seen it my head and I've done it in real life so my brain recognises this.
"I've visualised the fight as well so I'm already ahead of the game."
Brunson (18-6) is seen as Adesanya's toughest test to date, although he is coming off a first-round knockout to fifth-ranked Brazilian Ronaldo Souza.
The American's wild stand-up and high-pressure ground game makes for a dangerous opponent and Adesanya is taking nothing for granted.
But fully confident in his preparation, he only sees it going one direction.
"Anyone can beat anyone on any given night, it all depends on the individual," he said.
"If you don't show up you know what's going to happen. But I'm showing up and I feel like I'm already dialled in.
"It's my way or the highway, that's how I seeing it going Saturday night."
Stuff