All the action from UFC 230 as Kiwi Israel Adesanya fought American Derek Brunson.
Israel Adesanya is ahead of the game.
The unbeaten Kiwi middleweight will walk out under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden today for a date against American Derek Brunson at UFC 230.
As if squaring off against the sixth-ranked fighter in his division wasn't enough to be excited about, the No 9-ranked Adesanya will make his walk to the cage under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden - one of the world's most notable venues.
But Adesanya is certain he won't be overwhelmed by the moment; quite the opposite, in fact.
When the opportunity came to make the walk and sit courtside when the New York Knicks hosted the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA this week, he took full advantage of it.
"That was historic," Adesanya told the Weekend Herald. "I mean, for me to be in the middle of the court, to make that same walk I'm going to make on Saturday night, to be there and really soak it all in and feel the vibe, for me, it puts me ahead of the game."
The 29-year-old has shown throughout his MMA career he's not one to let the moment get the better of him. He steps inside the octagon to do a job and maintains that mentality until the job is done.
His appearance at UFC 230 will be his fourth since signing with the company late last year, and he enters boasting a professional record of 14 wins in as many fights. Brunson shapes as his biggest test yet, with the American holding an 18-6-0 record.
Adesanya believes there are big things ahead in his future in the sport and said he saw Brunson as another stepping stone.
"I've got to focus on the task at hand. They say never underestimate anyone but they forget to tell you to never overestimate them, so I'm just doing me, man, I'm just enjoying myself and making sure I stay woke.
'They know how to make a champion. That comes from the culture to begin with.'