Israel Adesanya believes he can mirror Floyd Mayweather's attitude to big fights when he takes on bitter UFC rival Alex Pereira.
'The Last Stylebender' will make his return to the Octagon next weekend in one of his biggest middleweight title defences yet at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden. Adesanya has already fought his Brazilian opponent during his time in the kickboxing ranks, with Pereira emerging victorious in both outings. He is the only fighter to have knocked the Nigerian out cold, doing so in their 2018 rematch.
Much has changed since the pair fought and their trilogy bout will represent a significant test for the champion, who has yet to be defeated at 185lb during his dominant reign as UFC champion. Adesanya has observed boxing legend Mayweather's focus during his fight with Manny Pacquiao, where the undefeated star claimed he just focused on the one fight.
“I was watching Claressa Shields and Floyd Mayweather talk on FaceTime when he fought Pacquiao," Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. "He said got up from the seat for every round. He always just thought like, ‘Forget every other fight. If there’s ever a fight I have to win, it’s this one.'
“I feel that. That’s me right now. If there’s ever a fight, I have to win, it’s this one. That’s why everything is different this camp. There’s no excuses. If there’s ever a fight I have to win, it’s this one.” Adesanya has yet to lose a fight at 185lb, with his only MMA loss coming at light-heavyweight when he fell short in his attempt to become double champion by losing to Jan Blachowicz.
However, the toughest opponent of his career, Pereira, is expected to provide a significant test of his credentials given their history in kickboxing. 'Poatan' has made a quick rise to a title shot in just three fights, having ousted leading contender Sean Strickland in his previous outing.
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And despite many fearing the worst for the UFC superstar, Adesanya is confident that his rival will struggle when feeling the early pace he plans to set in their upcoming showdown. “I honestly think within the first five minutes, even within the first three minutes, the pace that we’re gonna bring he’s not gonna be able to keep that,” Adesanya told AllStar.
“In the first round, you’re gonna see him start to fold, he’s not gonna be able to keep that high pace. I know the kind of pace I can bring. He’s not going to last. If this fight has to go each round, until someone falls. Trust me, I know who’s going stand. I know who’s going to be left standing.”
