UFC 276 - Exclusive interview with Israel Adesanya

By Conrad Castleton

29 Jun 2022

Conrad Castleton 29 Jun 2022

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UFC 276 takes place this weekend
Israel Adesanya vs Jared Cannonier is the main event
Stake’s global ambassador Adesanya speaks ahead of his title fight

The biggest UFC fight of the year takes place this Saturday at UFC 276.

Stake’s global ambassador Israel Adesanya spoke to Stake.com ahead of his clash with Jared Cannonier this weekend.

Adesanya will be defending his UFC middleweight title for the fifth time.

Stake.com has the best odds on UFC 276 and exclusive UFC promos available right up until the fight starts.

“I like to prove people wrong. But what I like most is proving myself right,” he said.

"Everything I've said I was ever going to do before I even got in this game - I have done and then some.

"Proving people wrong is just like the icing on the cake, so I can watch them cry their salty tears.”

Adesanya has said his fight against Jared Cannonier “easy work”, but does he hold any fear factor?

“Fear is not a factor for me. I am about bettering myself, showcasing my skills, showcasing my martial arts and putting on a display the way I know how,” he said.

Many MMA experts have predicted that Cannonier's best chance of winning is to be aggressive?

“I'd welcome that,” Adesanya told Stake.com.

“Please for the love of god overwhelm me with your power, come out swinging. I'd really look forward to that.”

“It's easier said than done [coming forward] when you're in front of me and feel my energy and my presence. Like many have said before him - it's easier said than done.

"When you step in front of me you then realise who you are dealing with because then I can show you the real me.”

He continued: "I have no doubt in my mind that he's going to feel my presence under those lights. It's a different story when you are on the biggest show of the year, I'm used to this.

"It's an acquired taste for me. It's something I've been doing for a long time. He's not used to this spotlight and he's going to melt under the heat. And melt under the heat of my energy as well.”

Adesanya believes this weekend’s fight will resemble Anderson Silva’s performance against Forrest Griffin from several years ago.

“Did you see my walk out for UFC 243? Fighters would never do that. Find another fighter who would do that,” said Adesanya, whose next opponent could be Sean Strickland or Alex Pereira should he be victorious this weekend.

"No one likes to put that kind of pressure on themselves. But I thrive under that pressure and thrive under that spotlight.

"And again, he's not used to this. He's not used to the amount of media he's going to have to do, he is not used to the amount of pressure or the amount of attention - it's draining for most people. But I thrive under these circumstances.”

Stake.com will have live betting on the fight as well as UFC 276 promos when you log in to the sportsbook.

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