I enjoy beating people up, brags Adesanya

Israel Adesanya has explained why winning the middleweight title is not his main motivation for the Dricus Du Plessis fight at UFC 305. Speaking to Sais Du Plessis, Adesanya revealed that beating fighters of different backgrounds is his main driving force.

‘Stylebender’ claimed he enjoyed the journey of becoming UFC champion more than the belt itself. Beating up people satisfies him more than the shiny belt and the perks that come with it.

‘Stylebender’ claimed he enjoyed the journey of becoming UFC champion more than the belt itself. Beating up people satisfies him more than the shiny belt and the perks that come with it.

Adesanya, who got into a heated verbal exchange with Dricus Du Plessis in a recent press conference, made an interesting claim.

Speaking to Sais Du Plessis, ‘Stylebender’ said, “For me, it’s about beating warriors from different codes, different nations, great fighters like Dricus, take them out, put them on my record, and move on to the next one until I’m done. That’s what it’s about.”

Adesanya added why the journey to the UFC belt was more special for him than the title itself. He said, “I was just enjoying beating people up. So I’m back there. I’m just gonna enjoy beating people up and the belt will come, and it’ll stay. And eventually I’ll let it go.”

Israel Adesanya was set to fight Du Plessis at UFC 293 but the South African pulled out with an injury. Sean Strickland stepped in on short notice to cause one of the biggest upsets in UFC history and beat Adesanya convincingly.

‘Stylebender’ hasn’t fought since and has the chance to reclaim his throne at UFC 305. Du Plessis, meanwhile, earned a razor-thin decision win against Strickland at UFC 297 to win the title.

Adesanya and Du Plessis had a heated face-off after the latter’s UFC 290 win against Robert Whittaker. The pair are finally set to clash horns inside the octagon in what promises to be a tantalizing pay-per-view in Perth, Australia.

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