Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Uriah Hall has made an interesting claim about Israel Adesanya.
Ahead of his headlining bout this Saturday, Uriah Hall says UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is handpicking “easy” opponents.
“Adesanya’s picking his fights,” Hall said during UFC Vegas 12 media day. “He sees what I see, he sees a hole in all these guys. He’s already picking [Jared] Cannonier, he’s looking for easy fights. Yeah, I said it.
“I know why he’s picking certain fights, but I’m dynamic, especially with the gym that I’m at right now, I’m focused. Laser focused. It’s just a matter of time. I’m just going to play the politic card and just whoever the UFC needs me to beat, or whoever the UFC thinks can beat me and get to the top.”
Hall will be facing Anderson Silva this weekend, and says he plans to earn his title shot and eventually face Adesanya.
“After that, I’m looking to get into the top five. Whoever’s in the top five. Cause my ultimate goal right now is to fight the champ. I want the champ. That’s it.”
The champion, not one to let a Twitter dig pass, responded to Hall with a meme.
I like him. Nice guy. But plz stfufe. pic.twitter.com/dBXV5RGFLO
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 29, 2020
It’s a curious claim from Hall, seeing that Adesanya’s resume — especially when he became champ — has been filled with the absolute killers on the top of the division.
Adesanya asked to face middleweight’s boogeyman in Yoel Romero, when he really didn’t have to. His other title wins are against Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa and Kelvin Gastelum. Not only are those three far from “easy” outs, they also all hold wins over Hall.
Prior to that, Adesanya also had wins over Derek Brunson and Anderson Silva to earn his title shot. Brunson also holds a victory over Hall, while Silva fights him this weekend.