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Israel Adesanya would consider moving up in weight to challenge Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title.
Israel Adesanya feels destined to become the biggest star in the UFC.
‘The Last Stylebender’ made his promotional debut in 2018 and, just one year later, is already challenging for the UFC middleweight title.
But why stop at one world title?
If all things go to plan at UFC 243, where Adesanya will look to beat Robert Whittaker to unify the middleweight titles, the 30-year-old has his sights set on the heavyweight title.
This may come as a shock to MMA fans but, speaking to Submission Radio in a recent interview, Adesanya explained why moving to heavyweight wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
“In boxing and kickboxing, I’ve stepped in weight in any code I’ve done in fighting,” the former kickboxing champion said. “So yeah, there’s a reason why. Even in kickboxing, I stepped up in heavyweight. And it’s like he said, there are certain things we can take advantage of (at heavyweight). And people think I’m gonna have to put on size, but that’s cause they’re dumb, they don’t understand the game. I weighed in with full clothes and a box of Dunkin’ Donuts the last time I fought at heavyweight. And so I stayed the same weight, but I still packed a punch. And I even dropped the second guy, flatlined him.”
Asked about a possible opponent, Adesanya and his coach Eugene Bareman suggested a superfight with none other than two-time heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic, who recently earned a technical knockout victory over Daniel Cormier to reclaim the heavyweight belt.
“If they’re talking about you doing a superfight, then skip light heavyweight and go straight to heavyweight,” Bareman said. “No one’s done that. I think Stipe. Stipe would be the one I’d like to fight.”
“Yeah, definitely,” Adesanya agreed. “I like the way he’s thinking. [Everyone laughs]. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya takes place this Saturday, October 6 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.