Israel Adesanya to paint his nails for next defence of UFC middleweight title
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed to continue painting his nails for his upcoming world title defence in Sydney against long-time rival Sean Strickland.
The Nigerian-born New Zealander will face controversial challenger Strickland at the Qudos Bank Arena next month after a lengthy feud between the pair, which started when they shared a card at UFC 276. His rival is known for his colourful language and outlandish commentary, referring to Adesanya as "gay" during their intense press conference ahead of that event.
But the champion will refuse to change up his style as he insists that he will knock out Strickland, whether or not his nails are painted. It is known within MMA that Adesanya has a keen interest in fashion as well as anime, which both have led to him being mocked by his opponent.
Israel Adesanya is known for painting his nails (Getty Images for UFC)“He’s an idiot,” Adesanya told MMA Fighting. “I’m not going to lose to an idiot. He says he’s not going to lose to a guy that jerks off to cartoons or paints his nails. Well, I’m going to paint my nails for that fight and I’m going to knock him out with my painted nails. I don’t listen to people... I only listen to me and my team.
"And this guy, he’s already pissed me off with his energy. The way he comes across and the way he tries to antagonise me. I don’t like the way he conducts himself. Even his sparring footage will pop up in my feed sometimes and I’m just like what the f***? Who does that? He’s a gym hero. He’s just an idiot and he’s not the kind of person I associate myself with and also he’s Fugazi."
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Adesanya feels that Strickland will show a different side of himself on stage before changing up when they see each other outside of public appearances. But he insists that it won't matter, as with his painted nails he will still land the knockout as expected and continue his second title reign.
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“The way he is normally backstage is not the same way when the crowd’s there," Adesanya continued. "When the crowd’s there, he puts on the clown persona and tries to entertain people, which they love and it’s cool, but he’s not the same. I even put a little receipt, just one of them, on a clip I did backstage.
"If you want to have this energy at the press conference, you could have had this energy backstage when I smacked you on the ass. He’s a fake guy. I’m going to paint my nails and knock him out.That vision right there gets me up.
"That’s what motivates me because I’ve had that vision of having my nails painted, knocking him out and just showing my nails to the camera like 'look, with my frosted tips, I knocked his b**** ass out'. That vision right there, to make that vision come true, I’ve done everything in my power make sure I knock this guy out.”
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