“Barkin in the Wind”- Israel Adesanya Refuses to Take Russia-Born Khamzat Chimaev Seriously

When you think of entertainers and superstars in the UFC, the first name to strike your mind would be Israel Adesanya. He has proven repeatedly that he has a penchant for performance and loves to put on a show. The best part of it? He’s consistently winning while doing that.

As time goes by, newer names and fiercer competitors are entering the UFC octagon.

Being an entertainer was widely popularized by Conor McGregor for the UFC. Adesanya is currently headlining the UFC in the absence of the Irishman. 

In a podcast with True Geordie, Adesanya spoke about his title defenses, mental health, future opponents, and other topics. Given how stagnant the middleweight division is regarding future opponents, the name hitting the stands is Khamzat Chimaev. 

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Adesanya stated, “I don’t have to take him seriously till I have to take him seriously. And that’s a guy that definitely I’d like to fight if he does what he says he wants to do because guess what? He will bring in a lot of eyes. He’s the guy that would exactly do what you said….” 

“He’s on his way, but show me something first…His last fight made take notice… I was like ‘yo.’ There was something he did in that fight, I won’t give it away, but I was like ‘Hm.’ I like that. I was really impressed with, so that’s what made me take notice of him. But at the moment still, just ‘barkin in the wind,’ cuz who’s he fought at 185? And I’m not saying he can’t. Look, he can beat a lot of these guys at 185… The top guys, from what I’ve heard. But let me see it first and then we’ll start talking.”

Does Israel Adesanya have no contenders left?

Of course, Jared Cannonier has been given Dana White’s word to fight Adesanya next. Names like Alex Pereira could also rise to the top and challenge the champion. That could be interesting, as ‘Paotan’ has beaten ‘Izzy’ in a fight. 

However, the fight fans want to see a contest where Israel Adesanya will be challenged to a certain degree. That could be against ‘Borz’ who will look to impose his wrestling on ‘The Last Stylebender’.

One of the best aspects about Adesanya is that he gives credit when it’s due. He clearly sees Chimaev as a worthy opponent once he does the needful in the UFC and wins a fight against a high-ranked fighter. 

The fact that he feels he need not worry about him till it is absolutely necessary is an ode to his confidence and dominance as a fighter in his division. It is true that ‘Borz‘ will bring in a lot of eyes to their match if it does happen.

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Their raw charisma, talent, and tenacity for putting on a show are enough to blow the roof off the arena. Although until Chimaev secures notable wins at welterweight or moves to middleweight and does the same, fight fans can table this conversation for a later time.