Anderson Silva downplays similarities between himself and Israel Adesanya

On February 9, at UFC 234 in Melbourne, Australia, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will battle red-hot contender Israel Adesanya.

Heading into this matchup, many fans have suggested that Silva and Adesanya are quite similar. Some have even suggested that the latter is a newer, younger version of the former.

Anderson Silva isn’t so sure about that.

“Israel is a great fighter,” Silva said at a press conference at his new Spider Kick gym in Los Angeles this week (transcript via MMAjunkie). “I think he’s super talented, he’s young, he has a brilliant future ahead in this sport. I believe he might be a version of him and he’ll become a better version of himself.

“I believe Israel is not my new version,” he added. “But I think this fight is very interesting, because I believe this is the first time I have the opponent (with) the same style. That’s a good test for my martial arts skills.”

Anderson Silva went on to assure that he’s going to look as dangerous as ever when the cage door closes in Melbourne.

“I think everybody is going to see the old Anderson, but more experienced,” he explained. “I don’t have nothing to prove. I passed through different moments in the sport. I win, I lose. I have a lot of experience. I am just doing something for my fans. I am so happy to be back to fighting and I’m here. Every day I come to training and say, ‘Thank you God. Thank you for giving me one more opportunity to do something special.’”

What are your thoughts on this UFC 234 matchup between Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya?

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 12/19/2018.