“It Was Very Tight…”: Israel Adesanya’s Manager Reveals How Leon Edwards and Colby Covington Fight Was the Initial Priority for the UFC 293 Event

The countdown to UFC 293 has been electrifying, with Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, known as the ‘Stylebender,’ set to defend his title against Sean Strickland. The pre-fight conference with its fiery exchanges promises an exciting PPV for the weekend. But according to a  recent revelation from an insider, UFC 293 could have had a completely different landscape from the one we are currently witnessing.

Apparently ‘Izzy’ vs ‘Tarzan’ was not the first choice for the main event in Sydney. But then, who could be the first choice for the UFC 293 PPV that ranked above Adesanya himself? Tim Simpson, Israel Adesanya’s manager, lays bare the behind-the-scenes narrative of how it all came together – all for the ‘Stylebender’s sixth title defense, and a heartfelt urge.

The importance of UFC 293 for Israel Adesanya

Tim Simpson recently starred in a conversation with Submission Radio. During his interview, he shed light on the complexities of arranging a bout of this caliber. What’s more, he explained what the fight means to ‘Izzy’s camp and his close ones.

Simpson emphasized, “The most important thing for us is for Israel to fight on this card. Israel wants to fight frequently. He wants to stay busy.” This is an aspect of Adesanya’s character that even the UFC brass appreciates.

As a champion, Adesanya wants to be a defending champion and fights multiple times a year. He has practically cleaned out his division, lapping some of his rivals, and this speaks volumes about his work rate. But UFC 293 is about more than just stat-padding.

Simpson shed light on the personal aspect of this bout, saying, “This is an important card for him because his friends and family, a lot of people from the gym, can’t always make it out to the US. It’s expensive – it’s a long journey, so this is an opportunity for the first time since 2019 for his close people to be here. So that was the main thing.”

Read More: Israel Adesanya Leaks Details of Wild Party With Flo Rida, Odell Beckham Jr. “Even Obj Pulled…”

This revelation underscores the heartfelt urge that drove Adesanya to be part of UFC 293. It’s not just about defending his title but also about sharing this moment with those closest to him. But wait – that’s not all! ‘Izzy’s manager also spilled the beans on the potential first-choice for the UFC 293 PPV headliner card.

The UFC had also considered alternative options

Intrigued by the revelation, the interviewer asked Tim Simpson about the alternative options that were considered for UFC 293. Simpson shared insights into the complexities of the decision-making process.

Simpson revealed, “Yeah, they had discussed options outside of Israel – like, ‘Can Leon and Colby be ready? Could Jiri Prochazka be ready?’ It was very tight – particularly on this side of the world for those guys.”

This snippet of the conversation sheds light on the careful consideration given to potential opponents. It highlights the challenge of finding a suitable contender within the constraints of timing and logistics.

In the end, the stage is set for ‘Stylebender’ to defend his title at UFC 293, not only as a champion but also as a fighter driven by a deep connection to his loved ones. As fight night approaches, fans can appreciate the personal significance that has fueled Israel Adesanya’s journey to this momentous event. What do you think? Will we see a major upset at UFC 293’s Middleweight title clash? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Watch this story: Israel Adesanya Ranks Himself Above Michael Jordan in Pettiness