Israel Adesanya says next fight isn’t about Derek Brunson, ‘I’m the next cash cow’

There’s no denying that Israel Adesanya has star potential and he isn’t the only one that sees it. Only three fights into his UFC career and an impact has been made.

The undefeated 14-0 Adesanya has blazed his way into the top 10 in no time. After two solid wins, the UFC awarded the high-level striker with the main event spot at The Ultimate Finale 27 in July.

Adesanya would take on the streaking veteran Brad Tavares who had looked better than ever going into the bout. But once the fight actually started, Adesanya simply showed that his striking was on another level.

Along with the big victory came a new contract for the rising middleweight star and he isn’t surprised that he’s earning what he is now as he told Submission Radio.

“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.

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. I might even go for the belt in my next fight depending on how I smoke Bumson. 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.”

From here on out, the competition won’t be getting any easier for the 29-year old as his next fight takes place against a divisional staple in Derek Brunson.

The two will meet in Madison Square Garden on November 3rd for UFC 230.

When it comes to the Brunson matchup, there has been a bit more animosity between the two than Adesanya has had with past opponents. In the end, Adesanya says it isn’t about his foe.

“It’s not really about him, honestly, it’s about me. I said just want to beat all the killers in my division so after it’s said and done it’s about who is the best of all time, who is the one who actually didn’t duck anyone, didn’t test positive for anything, was cool, some liked him, some hated him.

At the end of the day, I’m that guy and I just see, I’ve seen it already, I’ve done it many times over. So I just have to realize it now and I’m just enjoying myself along the way.”

on 8/23/2018