NEW YORK – UFC superstar and middleweight world champion Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya gave extensive thoughts on his showdown against longtime rival Alex Pereira during a wide-ranging interview on the latest episode of “The Pivot Podcast.”
During the lively conversation with co-hosts and former NFL stars Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, Adesanya, who’s given limited longform interviews in the lead up to Saturday night’s marquee matchup, offered a stark warning to Pereira ahead of the bout.
“When it’s time, and they shut that door and lock him in there, no one can save him. He’s got to back those words up,” said Adesanya, who first won the middleweight crown in October 2019.
Much of the intrigue ahead of Adesanya’s fight comes from two victories that Pereira (6-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) holds over Adesanya (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) from when the two competed in professional kickboxing, including a stoppage of Adesanya. With this extra motivation in tow, Adesanya explained how he’s now primed for another career-best performance.
“This camp was different,” said Adesanya. “Pressure makes diamonds, and there are moments in a man’s life where he has to step up, and this is one of those for me. The last three fights I showed up and made each camp better than the last one. But I knew I was going to whoop those dudes. They realized after round one that it wasn’t what they thought it was. They fought different after that. … This guy though, he’s going to bring it. So I had to step up and get to a whole new level.
“He’s coming off my hype. I know what it is and I welcome this. This is the big money fight. I’m glad that UFC pushed him and gave me this opportunity to rewrite history. … I hope he underestimates me. I feel like he is. He’s beaten me so he’s making all these memes and stuff and I’m just like, that’s alright. I’m working.”
In addition to going deep on Adesanya’s upcoming duel, the panel made sure to dig in on how Adesanya rose from a Nigerian immigrant in New Zealand, to perhaps the top pound-for-pound fighter in his sport. For Adesanya, he relishes using the obstacles he’s overcome as motivation and inspiration for the next generation behind him.
“I never really knew I was black until I moved to New Zealand,” said Adesanya, whose family settled in New Zealand when he was 10. “I never knew it was a problem, because I didn’t experience racism in Nigeria. It’s part of my story, so I need to tell it. Not just for me, but for the up-and-coming guy. … When I was growing up there were some dark times. But look at me now, we’re shining.
“Having this platform is never what I did this for. But if people look at my life and see my story, whether they’re black, white, Indian, Asian, whatever, and if they can take inspiration away from the way I live my life authentically, then I’m happy with it. You’re living under a microscope, so I live my life and I don’t try to act like I’m perfect.”
As they continue to dig into the origin story of the 33-year-old Adesanya, he shares that his original dream was not to go on the path he’s on now. But after tasting the life of a fighter at a young age, it became a non-stop mission of Adesanya’s to continue to conjure.
“I never wanted to be a fighter. I wanted to be a WWE superstar,” said Adesanya, who hinted that WWE may be in his future yet. “That’s what me and my family watched growing up. … I had my first fight at 18 though, and I had that surge of whatever it was, call it confidence. But I’ve been chasing that dragon ever since. … It’s something that you can’t recreate.”
The conversation continues to dig deeper into what makes Adesanya tick, as the co-hosts connect the independent streak the fighter shows in his day-to-day life, with his approach to Saturday’s contest. To the champion, he’s content to let fans believe what they want to believe, about his persona and his in-ring prospects, and do his talking in the ring.
“I know who I am and I knew that I wasn’t going to sell out my way of being just to please people,” said Adesanya. “I used to be a people pleaser and try to fit in. But as I got older, I realized that it doesn’t serve me anymore. If people don’t like it, they don’t like it … This fight is going to be the best one yet. I know what I’m bringing to the table and I look forward to it. Right now, I’m just letting people think whatever they want to think.”
Finally, near the episode’s conclusion, Adesanya expresses his gratitude for Clark, Crowder and Taylor and the environment for conversation they’ve created on the show, wrapping up another in-depth and revealing interview with sports and entertainments best.
“This is the most comfortable interview I’ve had,” said Adesanya. “I wish all interviews could be like this. It’s like kicking back and relaxing, so I really appreciate you guys.”
