MELBOURNE, Australia – Israel Adesanya vows that UFC 243 will be one of the most special moments in UFC history.
Interim middleweight champion Adesanya (17-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on middleweight champ Robert Whittaker (20-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC 243 on Saturday (Sunday locally) at Marvel Stadium. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
The first time the UFC made the trip to Melbourne in 2015 for UFC 193, it ended up being one of the biggest moments in UFC history. Holly Holm shocked the world by knocking out then undefeated bantamweight queen Ronda Rousey, becoming the new champion.
Adesanya is looking to create a special moment of his own, in front of what is projected to be a record-breaking crowd in Melbourne.
“I want to recreate what Holly Holm did in this place in 2015,” Adesanya told MMA Junkie. “I’m going to make that happen, guaranteed.”
Adesanya is one of the fastest rising stars in the UFC, and UFC 243 could prove to be a defining moment in his career. But there’s a reason “The Stylebender” didn’t make his UFC debut until he was 28.
He was waiting for the right moment, which is why he believes that superstardom won’t make him go down the wrong path, like previous champions have.
“The difference is when you’re the youngest champion in UFC history at 23, you’re not fully developed yet,” Adesanya said referring to Jon Jones. “You’re young, dumb and full of (expletive) ,and you’re going to make a lot of mistakes. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I did it away from the spotlight. I took my time to get into the UFC so I make sure I was ready not (just) physically, but mentally as well – and emotionally, and spiritually, and maturely.”
And he understands what comes with the spotlight. Every move a fighter makes could be watched, and he thinks certain moments can end up defining him.
“I will make my own mistakes, don’t get me wrong,” Adesanya added. “I just won’t crash into some hooker or bury her in the desert in Nevada or some (expletive). But I’ve made my mistakes outside the UFC, and I’m glad we’re away from the spotlight because this day, you make a mistake and that’s on you for life. That’s what the public opinion is of you whenever your name comes up. That’s what they’re going to remember. So I just make sure that I have the right people around me to look after me and check me.”
