The stage is set for the mother of all bouts in United Fight Challenge (UFC), with New Zealand-born Nigerian star, Israel Adesanya already looking ahead to a huge night of glory on Saturday.
Sports247.ng reports that, after just four fights in the UFC, the number six-ranked middleweight has asserted himself as a fan favorite and one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.
Adesanya is now aiming to surpass all that and set new marks, as he takes on Anderson Silva in the major undercard event at UFC 234.
The bigger fight of the night is tagged Whittaker vs Gastelum, but that will not stop Adesanya from standing tall and talking big.
Surprisingly, Adesanya holds the bookmakers’ odds, in spite of the fact that his opponent is a former UFC middleweight champion.
However, on current form, observers believe slim are the chances of Silva when he steps into the cage against the undefeated Adesanya.
The bout will serve as the co-main event of UFC 234, which takes place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
The contest is Silva’s first fight since he served a one-year USADA suspension, but Adesanya’s current record stands at 15-0.
While Silva was on the sidelines, Adesanya debuted with the UFC and ran up four straight wins.
The winner of this fight could move on to face the victor in UFC 234’s main event, which pits middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker up against Kelvin Gastelum.
An expert of the trade wrote in his preview: “Silva’s days of figuring his opponents out early and then stopping them seem to be behind him.
“As for Adesanya, it would not be a surprise to see him start this fight with caution.
“Sure, Silva’s best days are behind him, but Adesanya knows how important this fight is to his future.
“He won’t want to provide Silva any openings. I predict the fight goes at least one round.”
, with New Zealand-born Nigerian star, Israel Adesanya already looking ahead to a huge night of glory on Saturday.){kind=link}