Israel Adesanya is “done talking” as he puts his UFC middleweight title on the line for the fourth time against Brazilian star Alex Pereira.
There was some late drama at the official weigh-ins when Pereira stepped onto the scales with only a few minutes left on the clock, but he comfortably made weight at 184.6 pounds.
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Adesanya, who was one of the first to weigh in, tipped the scales at 185 pounds.
And the Kiwi had some questions for the crowd at the ceremonial weigh-ins as the former opponents prepare for battle at the famous Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
“Who wants to hear, ‘And new’, tomorrow,” Adesanya asked, with not much noise being made from the crowd in reply.
“Who wants to hear, ‘And still’, tomorrow?
“I’m done talking, we’ll fight tomorrow.”
Pereira is equally keen to take on Adesanya for the third time in their respective combat careers, having beaten the Kiwi twice in kickboxing.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, I think I’ve done everything,” Pereira said.
“I want to be here, I want to be champion. I’ve said a lot, all I want to do is fight now.”
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Adesanya and Pereira aren’t the only ones fighting for a title on Sunday, as Carla Esparza puts her strawweight title on the line against Zhang Weili.
It is Esparza’s first defence since dethroning Rose Namajunas to win the title and become a two-time champ eight years after she last held the belt.
And she knows she’s worked too hard to give it up just as quickly as she won the title.
“It means so much to me (to have the title),” Esparza said.
“I fought eight years to get back here, to hear those words, ‘And still’. I’m super excited, I worked really hard for this and I can’t wait to put on a show.”
Zhang, a proper fans favourite, cannot wait to get in the octagon.
“I’m so excited,” Zhang said.
“Since I came to New York, I feel so much love from you guys. I’m very happy, thank you.”
MAIN CARD
Israel Adesanya (c) (185) vs. Alex Pereira (184.6) for the UFC middleweight title
Carla Esparza (c) (114.8) vs. Zhang Weili (114.8) for the UFC strawweight title
Dustin Poirier (156) vs. Michael Chandler (155.8); Lightweights
Frankie Edgar (135.6) vs. Chris Gutierrez (136); bantamweights
Dan Hooker (155.8) vs. Claudio Puelles (155.2); Lightweights
PRELIMS
Brad Riddell (155.6) vs. Renato Moicano (155.8); Lightweights
Dominick Reyes (205.4) vs. Ryan Spann (206.6); Light Heavyweights
Molly McCann (125.4) vs. Erin Blanchfield (125); Flyweights
Andre Petroski (185.8) vs. Wellington Turman (185.2); Middleweights
FIGHT PASS PRELIMS
Matt Frevola (154.8) vs. Ottman Azaitar (155.6); Lightweights
Michael Trizano (147.6) vs. Choi Seung-woo (145.6); Featherweights
Karolina Kowalkiewicz (115.6) vs. Silvana Gomez Juarez (115.6); Strawweights
Julio Arce (135.8) vs. Montel Jackson (135.8); Bantamweights
Carlos Ulberg (205.2) vs. Nicolae Negumereanu (206); Light Heavyweights
