UFC champion Israel Adesanya has shared his admiration for Tyson Fury 's resurrection story.
WBC heavyweight champion Fury, who is scheduled to fight Dillian Whyte on April 23, has been through several ups and downs during his boxing career.
'The Gypsy King' was on cloud nine after winning the unified heavyweight titles against Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, but his life would soon take a turn for the worst after battling mental health problems.
He weighed over 180kg and was addicted to drugs and alcohol after being banned from boxing by UK Anti-Doping for a positive test.
In a remarkable comeback story, Fury has since lost over 50kg and become a world champion again as his mental health is in a much better place.
And Adesanya thinks Fury is empowered by the demons he has battled in the past.
"Resurrection," Adesanya replied when asked by Sky Sports to describe Fury in one word.
"I like that, resurrection. The way he got up in the last round [against Deontay Wilder ], that just kinda shows the story of his life, his resurrection.
"His honesty and his vulnerability. He's not scared to be vulnerable with his emotions with what he's been through, his dark times. That's where he gets his strength from, his vulnerability.
"Just the whole story of how he's been at the lowest of lows and rose from the ashes like a phoenix, that's something that's inspiring. He's a special human being, I really respect the guy."
Fury won the WBC title by knocking out Wilder in their 2020 rematch and defended the belt by stopping him again in their trilogy last October.
The Brit was linked to an undisputed fight with fellow champion Oleksandr Usyk, but will instead look to tick another name off his bucket list in Whyte.
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Usyk, who recently returned to his native Ukraine to help defend against Russian attacks, is expected to rematch Anthony Joshua in May or June.
Whyte has been silent on social media since his world title with Fury was announced and didn't turn up to the press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
And of his rival's absence, Fury said: "I'm not concerned because this is the Tyson Fury roadshow, it's never about the opponent.
"He's ugly anyway, this is about me and celebrating my legacy and celebrating it on the biggest stage possible. It doesn't matter who it is, it's always going to be the Tyson Fury roadshow.
"He's definitely raised the white flag for this fight. He doesn't want to go face to face because he would see the fire in my eyes and know he's getting smashed to bits. It's fear, it's terror and I don't blame him for not being here today."
