ISRAEL Adesanya is confident of bouncing back with a victory when he faces Dricus Du Plessis in a high-profile Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bout tomorrow in Perth, Australia.
The New Zealand-based Nigerian mixed martial arts star is challenging the newly crowned middleweight champion in one of UFC’s biggest fights ever.
Adesanya is bidding to regain his title, after the shock defeat to Sean Strickland last September, one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, and he insists he is a changed man, fully focused on the task against the 30-year-old South African.
“I think you’ll see the best version of me yet,” Adesanya said during the UFC 305 media day event.
“I’m different now. I’m putting everything into this fight. I’m focused on this fight and this time out.
“I’m the biggest and most muscular I’ve ever been, yet I feel faster and sharper. I surprise myself with my speed and precision. It feels good to reset and refresh. Now, let’s get it.”
Adesanya, 35, has had 16 UFC fights, winning 13, while Du Plessis is unbeaten in seven.
The Nigerian believes the difference in experience will be to his advantage.
“Experience is the key,” the two-time UFC middleweight champion said. “A lot has happened in the last few months. I’ve had to go through some personal challenges, and during that time, I’ve done a lot of soul searching.
“I asked myself tough questions: ‘What do I want from this game? What do I want my legacy to be?’”
