Israel Adesanya vows to ‘f**k up’ Cannonier in UFC 276 ‘masterpiece’ as he aims to emulate Silva’s demolition of Griffin
ISRAEL ADESANYA is planning on delivering a “masterpiece” in his showdown with Jared Cannonier.
The Nigerian-born Kiwi will defend his middleweight title against the Killa Gorilla early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 276 in Las Vegas.
Israel Adesanya will defend his middleweight title against Jared Cannonier at UFC 276[/caption] Jared Cannonier is in the form of his UFC career going into his maiden title fight[/caption] The Last Stylebender has vowed to “f**k up” the Killa Gorilla[/caption] Adesanya wants to emulate Anderson Silva’s flawless UFC 101 victory over Forrest Griffin[/caption]Adesanya, 32, enters his fifth title defence on the back of dominant victories in his consecutive rematches with Marvin Vettori and Robert Whittaker but is envisaging a more devastating display in Sin City.
Speaking in his role as a global brand ambassador for crypto casino and sports betting platform Stake.com, Adesanya told SunSport: “It turns out beautiful like a masterpiece.
“I’m gonna f**k him up, mark my words.”
Adesanya’s last finish came in his second title defence in the autumn of 2020, in which he turned in a flawless performance against the previously-undefeated Paulo Costa.
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The Last Stylebender showed shades of UFC great Anderson Silva in his picture-perfect destruction of Borrachina, who many thought would be the toughest challenge of his career.
And he hopes to turn in a similar performance to Silva’s Matrix-esque demolition of former light-heavyweight champ Forest Griffin at UFC 101.
When asked why he likened the clash with Cannonier to Silva’s legendary display against Griffin, Adesanya said: “Just because of me.
“Just the way I’m feeling right now, the way I’m flowing right now.
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“I’m feeling myself right now and I don’t think that’s going to stop when it comes to fight night.”
Former heavyweight Cannonier enters his maiden UFC title fight in the form of his career, winning five of his last six.
The Texan has registered impressive stoppage wins over David Branch, Anderson Silva, Jack Hermansson and a resurgent Derek Brunson in that run, with his sole defeat coming at the hands of former middleweight champ Whittaker.
Adesanya kept a close eye on Cannonier long before he was on the cusp of a title shot and is relishing nullifying the challenges he brings to the table.
The International Fight Week headliner said of the match-up: “I’m very excited [to be fighting Jared].
Israel Adesanya is relishing the challenge of the in-form Jared Cannonier[/caption]“I’m excited to be fighting someone that I’ve not fought before. I’m excited that it’s a fresh fight; new blood, new energy and I’m ready to go.”
Cannonier’s ever-improving striking has caught the eye of the champion, who is confident of getting the better of the latest challenger to the throne wherever the fight takes place.
Adesanya said of the former Alaskan Fight Championship heavyweight king: “His standout skillset?
“He has power, but so does everybody else.
“He has an unorthodox way of striking, but I’m very unorthodox myself.
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“And I’m looking forward to playing that game if that’s what he wants to play. If he wants to grapple, we know how to roll.”
Israel Adesanya is an ambassador for Stake.com, one of the leading and fastest-growing cryptocurrency betting and gaming operators worldwide.