Israel Adesanya is preparing to headline the UFC Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale, where he takes on Brad Tavares in a middleweight division attraction.
At UFC 226, another middleweight division bout is in the cards as Uriah Hall faces Paulo Costa and Adesanya would like to fight the winner.
“Dan Hooker is fighting at UFC 226 so I’m going to be right there yelling my ass off,” Adesanya said to MMA Fighting. “Whoever wins that fight, be it Paulo Costa or Uriah Hall, I’m standing in that cage and facing them. I want to see them and I want them to feel me right after they win. I was them to size me up and realize what they’re dealing with.”
Neither Hall or Costa have responded to the request made by Adesanya, as they are preparing for their battle, which takes place the day after the TUF 27 Finale.
Adesanya isn’t looking past Tavares, but the fighter has a path to greatness -- and the winner of Costa/Hall is on that path.
“I’m not looking past what’s-his-name,” Adesanya said. “Sorry, I had a brain fart — I’m not looking past Brad. They say to never underestimate anyone, but they don’t tell you to overestimate people either, so I’m just going to do me. Each guy is just another person that’s in the way. I have to plot my path to greatness. I don’t just think about the belt, I think past the belt. I’m far beyond all of that.”
UFC Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale takes place on Friday, July 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Brad Tavares and Israel Adesanya headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.
