UFC middleweight champ Israel Adesanya knows that surging welterweight Khamzat Chimaev wants to take his belt. In a recent appearance on Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson, Adesanya acknowledged Chimaev’s impressive skills, but reminded the UFC newcomer that he still has a long way to go before he can challenge for the 185 pound strap.
“I remember someone said that to me at the post-fight press conference and I was like, ‘Okay. And?’ I feel like when a dog barks at the moon, that’s normal, but when the moon barks at the dog, that’s something special.
Adesanya wants Khamzat to “show me something” before 185-pound showdown
This guy fights at welterweight. He’s fought at middleweight one time, and he fought a low-ranked guy. He definitely can beat some middleweights but I’m like, show me something. Show me something.
His last fight was impressive. I might not like you, but if I’m impressed by what you do, I will give you props. He’s a beast. But he’s a beast at 170.”
Israel Adesanya remains undefeated at 185 pounds. He marched through the UFC middleweight division on his way up, starching opponents with his precise, vicious striking. He claimed the title from Robert Whittaker, Australia’s first UFC champion, and most recently defended his title against Whittaker once again.
Adesanya might know a thing or two about ill-fated moves up to another weight division. His sole MMA loss came at the hands of then-light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz, who defeated Adesanya when he attempted to claim a second title. “The Last Stylebender” has since defended his title twice, but he’s starting to fight against those he already dispatched on the way up.
“Right now, I’m lapping the division. I need some fresh blood. He’s fresh blood where I’m like, show me something. I love what he’s doing at 170 but show me something.”
Chimaev has made much of his own fighting prowess, claiming that his prodigious, dominant wrestling style would be too much for Israel Adesanya to handle. Those who have paid attention to “The Last Stylebender” and his career thus far will recognize that prediction from earlier fights, and it has yet to come true. There’s plenty of trash talk coming from the ranks, but the champ is taking it in stride.
“Paulo [Costa] started talking. ‘Blah, blah, blah, he’s a shameful champion, I’m gonna kill him,’ similar to what this boy’s talking about, and I was like, ‘Bet. Watch this.’ And I showed them. I showed them bad.”
Is Izzy underestimating Khamzat, or vice versa? Let us know in the comments.
