Israel Adesanya has vowed to knock out his ‘Loudmouth’ opponent Sean Strickland when they fight in the main event of UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia on September 9th.
“Just some loudmouth talking over and louder than you to try and seem like he’s got something to say,” Adesanya said of Strickland while assessing his opponent on his YouTube channel. “He has nothing to say really, he just wants to – I know the guy. I’ve seen him. I’ve pressed him before. It’s for show, so I just know what it is.
“That’s why most people are excited about the press conference because that’s his spot to shine, I guess. But I can rap, too. I just decide when I use my mouth and when I don’t. … If he’s talking to me, he’s going to get his jaw broken because when you’re talking, you’re not focused on the task at hand. Look at (Paulo) Costa.”
When it comes to Strickland’s ability in the Octagon though, Adesanya doesn’t think the challenger will be able to make it the full 25 minutes.
“Even if it’s five rounds of just dominance and styling on him, display of martial arts, I will be happy with that. But I just don’t see that happening. I’m going to knock him out. One plus one is two: I’m going to knock him out.”
That being said, the middleweight champ insists that he’s not going to take his opponent lightly.
“I never underestimate anyone,” Adesanya said. “I was even thinking about Bisping vs. Rockhold, when Bisping finally beat him on like two weeks’ notice. He goes in there and shocks the world. That’s a possible reality. My job is to make sure it’s not in this reality. That’s another parallel universe, another timeline.
“I’m very aware of the dangers he brings and the stuff he’s really good at, so I don’t take this lightly. You guys have seen me. You’ve seen I’ve been working. I’m not underestimating this guy. But at the same time, I’m not overestimating him. I want to make this look easy. I’m going to make this look easy because of the work that we’re doing right now.”
