Israel Adesanya has vowed to use tonight’s UFC 287 battle against the middleweight champion, Alex Pereira, to rip him off, reminding people of how great he is inside the octagon.
247acemedia reports that a fired-up Isreal Adesanya made a bold and unique choice regarding his outfit for the UFC 287 press conference.
The 33-year-old decided to wear a dog collar ahead of his headline fight against Alex Pereira in Miami this Sunday.
With Pereira beating Adesanya in their previous clash in November, the New Zealand-born fighter will be hoping to get the better of his opponent this time around. While explaining his reasoning for wearing a dog collar to the press conference, Adesanya sent a message to Pereira.
“Not many people get the opportunity to show how great they are and to rise to the occasion when all odds are stacked against them. I feel like the underdog,” Adesanya said yesterday in an interview with BBCSports.
“Because of what happened in the last fight, people have goldfish memories. They’ve forgotten what I’ve done in this game and it’s time to remind people how great I am.”
Adesanya, a native of Odogbolu, Ogun State, says his rivalry with Pereira could be the ‘greatest storyline in MMA history.’
The fighters meet for a fourth time at UFC 287 in Miami tonight, with Pereira winning all three previous fights.
The Brazilian, 35, has won twice in kickboxing and once in MMA, claiming the UFC title in November.
His latest victory ended Adesanya’s three-year dominance of the division.
Adesanya lost kickboxing fights to Pereira in 2016 and 2017, the latter defeat his final showing in the sport before transitioning full-time to MMA.
Adesanya is taking inspiration from American rapper, Eminem, as he tries to reclaim the middleweight title.
“I’m down two fights in kickboxing and one in MMA. This is my one shot, my Eminem moment,” said Adesanya. “You get one shot. Don’t miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime and this is it.
“Imagine if I get it done better than he’s ever done it? I don’t keep score I settle them and he who laughs last laughs best.”
He added:
“I know how I can beat this guy. Every time I fight this guy I’m dominating him, but he has this special ability to recover and put his foot on the gas, so I have to find a way to take him out of the driver’s seat, which I will,” said Adesanya.
