If you can talk the talk and walk the walk, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) isn’t afraid to throw as much promotional dollars it can to make you a star and rack up as much money as you want for yourself, and the company, of course.
And Israel Adesanya believes he was what it takes to become the company’s next cash cow.
“Call it what it is, I’m the next cash cow. I always feel like, maybe cause I know who I am and I know what I’m gonna do for the company, so I know my worth. But for what I’ve showed them so far in three fights for the new payroll I’m on, I mean, for three fights, that’s not bad,” he said speaking to Submission Radio (via BJPenn.com).
“In three fights in the company I’m already doing more than a lot of these vets in this game, a lot of the champions in this game, let’s just put it that way. Talking just everything-wise, you know? A lot of these guys that have been in this game haven’t headlined ever, and I did it in my third fight.”
To hear Israel tell it, he ascension in the fight game is going so fast that he won’t be surprised if he gets the call up to fight for the Middleweight title should he get through Derek Brunson at the upcoming UFC 230 event on Nov. 3, 2018 in New York, N.Y.
“I might even go for the belt in my next fight depending on how I smoke Bunson. Anything can happen. Never say never. I just feel like now is that time. I’m gonna whoop these guys anyway, so I might as well look good doing it with some gold around my shoulder. Yeah, we’ll see. We’ll see what happens. But I’m enjoying myself, I’m happy with the new contract. Life is good. LG, baby.”
Indeed, Israel has been on the fast track so far in his young UFC career, winning his first three bouts inside the world-famous Octagon, getting the call to headline his first event in just his third fight against Brad Tavares. Adesanya went on to defeat the longtime veteran at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 27 Finale last month.
His next test will be a stiff one, though, as Brunson has the skill-set and experience to derail his train off the tracks and force him to start from scratch.
Israel, though, has plans of his own, and that includes becoming the promotions next superstar. And with Brock Lesnar, Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones not being consistent in their UFC careers as of late, now is the time for Israel to strike if he wants to fill the void.
Can he get it done?