ISRAEL Adesanya is taking a “f… the circus” approach to UFC 287, convinced he is set to break his Alex Pereira hoodoo via “assassination”.
On the eve of Sunday’s hyped world title showdown, Adesanya has told Fox Sports Australia how an overhauled fight camp will see him “execute” Pereira – the Brazilian who has beaten him three times across two sports.
The prediction comes as Alexander Volkanovski also revealed his close mate’s fight camp had taken a notable shift during this preparation.
Watch UFC 287: Pereira v Adesanya 2 LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday April 9 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
The UFC featherweight champ is a regular at City Kickboxing and only last week arrived, unannounced, to help 33-year-old Adesanya before jetting out to the US.
Asked for an insight into what took place, Volkanovski admitted the mood shift was “hard to explain” – but undeniable.
“Izzy’s that guy who is always vibing,” he said. “A guy who is all energy, always looking at making historical UFC events.
“He knows it’s not just about winning.
“Knows this is the entertainment business, so you need to do more.
“So there’s always something bigger to the story, a lot of entertainment always comes into things.
“There are narratives to push. (At this level) you might be thinking about hyping Pay Per Views, about legacy, even a crazy finish for the highlight reels … there are so many other things but the fight itself.
“But this time, it’s only Pereira. That’s it. F… everything else.
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“To say more ‘serious’, that isn’t the right word, because they’re always serious.
“But the only focus is on what needs to be done.
“He doesn’t care about hyping this fight. It’s just the fight.
“He isn’t worried about any of the other bulls… that normally surrounds a fight.
“It’s f… the circus … the biggest thing for him is taking Pereira out.
“That’s all he has time for. Nothing else.
“It is a case of let’s get this f…ing belt back.”
Edwards lands low blows, illegal grab | 01:14
Asked about Volkanovski’s comments on Thursday, Adesanya nodded his head and said: “I’m executing this time.
“I’m assassinating. I’m coming for his head.”
Asked about Pereira’s shots at him on social media he added: “Whatever he has to do to get himself up for this fight he should.
“Because I know, when fighting people I’ve beat already, what I need to do to get myself up for fights.
“So whatever he has to do to make himself feel better he should.”
Adesanya added he was so focused on Sunday’s fight, he had not even made a play – as he almost always does – to set up a fight beyond this one.
Asked about a potential trilogy with Robert Whittaker, he said: “I’ve not thought about anything after this fight.
“Normally I’m setting up my next opponent, will prop them up. I’m known for this.
“But for this fight, I’ve done nothing like that. My sights are only set on Pereira.”
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Volk backing Masvidal to pull off upset? | 01:52
ROB Whittaker and Alexander Volkanosvki are split on the chances of Jorge Masvidal potentially winning a title shot – or retiring — this Sunday.
Speaking with The Takedown this week, Volkanovski tipped Masvidal to get it done against Brazilian Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in Miami.
Should he win in spectacular fashion, the fight favourite could be catapulted into a welterweight title bout against Englishman Leon Edwards.
But if he loses, Masvidal has said himself he will consider retirement.
So what happens?
“I feel like Masvidal gets this, ey,” Volkanovski said. “I know he’s the underdog – and by a bit – but I think he gets it done.
“Preparing for Colby Covington, and the things I saw from him that fight in terms of takedown defence, I was impressed.
“Not many people are as aggressive, as good at imposing their will then Colby, and I thought Jorge still dealt with it really well.
“He wasn’t getting Masvidal down.
“So even if Burns is holding him against the cage and he breaks free, you know it’s all damage. And you see that’s what they (judges) care about.”
Whittaker, meanwhile, is backing the opposite.
“I think Burns,” he said. “Masvidal is very dangerous on the feet and Burns has to be aware of that.
“But we’ve seen him with strikers before.
“And if he goes out there, worries Masvidal with takedowns, worries him with heavy hands, I think over three rounds he wins this one.”
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‘I want to fight Adesanya’ | 02:55
ISRAEL Adesanya has heaped praise on Australia’s Tyson Pedro, saying he “loves” the Penrith product after proving such a crucial part of his entire training camp.
“That’s my brother, man. I love that dude,” Adesanya said of Pedro, who left his young family and headed across the Tasman to be part of preparations.
“This camp he’s been a guy that has surprised me by how much he cares. How much he loves this team.
“Even speaking about him right now, I get chills.
“During camp for his own fight (in February), he said ‘bro, if you need me for your next fight, I’m there’.
“But because he’s a new father, I didn’t want to take him away from his child. But still he showed up.”
Watch UFC 287: Pereira v Adesanya 2 LIVE on Main Event available on Kayo & Foxtel, Sunday April 9 from 12pm AEDT. ORDER NOW >
Adesanya said it was the same with great mate and UFC featherweight champ, Alex Volkanovski.
“Volk just showed up in the last week of camp, out of nowhere,” the fighter said. “I asked Eugene ‘hey did you invite him?’
“And he said no, that Volk just showed up. That just shows the type of people he and Tyson are.”
