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'I'm not just fighting for myself' - Israel Adesanya issues rallying cry ahead of rematch against Alex Pereira
New Zealand professional mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent Israel Mobolaji Adesanya has explained the motivating factor to be victorious once again.
Adesanya takes on Brazilian professional mixed martial artist Alexsandro Pereira in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 287 main event.
It is a career-defining fight for Adesanya and he has explained his process to become a two-time UFC Middleweight champion.
Adesanya and Pereira have history
Compared to the build-up of his previous fights, Adesanya has not been engaged with the media at a high level.
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It stems from a shock round five stoppage by Pereira last November at the UFC 281 main event held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Adesanya previously lost to Pereira via a unanimous decision in their first fight at a kickboxing event in Shenzhen back in 2016.
Pereira produced a knockout in their second fight also a kickboxing event in Sao Paulo back in 2017.
It means that Pereira has been victorious against Adesanya three times they have met in combat sports.
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Adesanya explains fans are the source of motivation for revenge
Ahead of the rematch against Pereira in the UFC, Adesanya explained his source of motivation.
Following the arrival in Miami, Adesanya has turned on a serious approach to the fight.
He posted clips of his appearance at the media day, the ceremonial weigh-in, and the official press conference.
The Style Bender went on to explain that the fans are the motivation for him to become a two-time champion.
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In the video on his official YouTube channel, Adesanya read some messages from the fans and said he will be drawing strength from them to get a win against Pereira.
He said, "I think this is the first time in a long time that I'm not just fighting for myself drawing strength from my family, my friends, real friends.
"My teammates who are actually on the grind with me, they put their bodies on the line for me, Blood Sweat tears.
"For you guys the fans that believe in me the ones that haven't folded when people were trying to shake their belief in me or clowning about what happened in the last fight or anything I've ever done
"This is the first time in a long time I'm fighting for all of you guys because you know I'm the only one in that cage.
"You guys can't fight with me so I have to fight for myself but this time I'm drawing strength from all of you in a way like never before."
Adesanya has sent a message to Pereira wearing a dog chain at the major appearances to promote the fight.
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08:50 - 07.04.2023
UFC Israel Adesanya explains wearing a dog collar to face off against Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya shows off a stylish dog chain for a face-off against Alex Pereira.
The UFC Middlweight title will be for grabs when Adesanya takes on Pereira at the Miami-Dade Arena in Miami, Florida on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
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