Interim UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya looks to continue his undefeated ways with a victory over current champ Robert Whittaker in a Middleweight title unification bout this Saturday at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia.
Undefeated at 17-0, Adesanya faces a massive challenge in Whittaker (20-4). Whittaker has won his prior nine fights, all of which took place in the UFC, while only six of Adesanya’s wins took place in a UFC cage.
Adesanya spoke with Sports Illustrated to discuss the challenges Whittaker presents, as well as whether all of the hype surrounding his own career serves as a detriment or a benefit.