Tension Heats Up Ahead Of UFC 281, Adesanya: I'll Slam That Guy

Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya (Instagram @stylebender)

JAKARTA - Preparations for the fight between Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira at UFC 281 are heating up. Both fighters showed their confidence.

Although it's still a few months away, the fighting has escalated and the fight is expected to be an epic show.

Criticism of Adesanya is also strong, as in his last three fights he has won them all by jury decision. Some people find his appearance unconvincing.

Therefore, speaking to SportsCenter, the Nigerian-born fighter wants to remove all criticism against him.

"Have I ever avoided a fight?" said Adesanya quoted from Marca, Wednesday.

"I always choose the guy that nobody wants to fight. The guy that everyone avoids, I run to him.

"So I ran towards the fire, and it's no different. And again, after he beat me in Brazil, I never had any plans to try to take revenge or anything, because I didn't hold on to anything, I let him go from those things.

"But again, I tell you, the universe has presented this to me and it's there, I'm going to slam the man."

Adesanya wants to get into the octagon and show everyone who's boss. He wants to knock out his opponent to prove his qualities.

"I'm very happy to have an opponent - finally - who after the first round or the second round, they realize they can't do anything and just want to defend," said Adesanya.

"I'm happy to have an opponent who will attack me, who will really try and finish me off.

"And this is the story of this fight, because he's done it before in kickboxing, so for me it's like, is he going to get knocked out or am I going to be knocked out?"

Alex Pereira shoots back at Israel Adesanya

However, facing these statements, his opponent Alex Pereira did not remain silent. He responded to his rival, but in a more serious way.

After Adesanya talks about wanting revenge, his Brazilian rival decides to turn him around and use him against him.

On social media, Pereira emphasized, in true Chavo del Ocho fashion, that this revenge is not a game he likes to play.

"Revenge is never satisfying, it kills the soul and poisons you," he wrote on his Instagram account.