This weekend, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya plans to join the exclusive UFC champion club when he faces Jan Blachowicz for the UFC light heavyweight title.
Nigerian Kiwi won his chance to be a two-time champion after winning and defending his 185 belt on an impressive two occasions last year. Last spring, he defeated Yoel Romero by unanimous decision and then, in September, overtook Paulo Costa.
With 205 pounds ahead, many are wondering what ‘Stylebender’ plans to win or lose after UFC 259.
He spoke to ESPN earlier this week and gave a surprising answer as to what he wants to do next in the middleweight division.
When asked who motivated him at home, Adesanya pointed out the fourth place in the category: Darren Till.
“I just keep saying, I hope he keeps winning so that we can have this fight because you know the vibrations,” said Adesanya (h / t SportsKeeda.com). “I just like that style … If he wants to be that Muay Thai master and thinks he can face me, feel free. Yes, I like Till, I like the style and I will like to fight him, but he just has to win man. He just needs to pull himself together and keep winning, Till. Come on, scouser. “
Till joined the UFC as a welterweight in 2015. After going 5-0-1 in the category, which included a victory over Stephen Thompson, the Englishman won the 170-pound title fight with Tyron Woodley.
At UFC 228 in 2018, Woodley submitted Till via submission. Until then he lost to Jorge Masvidal by knockout the following year.
After these losses, Till went up in weight to face Kelvin Gastelum. He won the fight by split decision. His most recent fight was last July; a unanimous decision loss to former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.