More history awaits New Zealand's reigning sportsman of the year in Las Vegas this weekend.
Israel Adesanya takes a break from training at City Kickboxing. Photo: Photosport
Already the middleweight world champion, mixed martial arts star Israel Adesanya is attempting to claim a second UFC belt.
The Nigerian-born Kiwi has moved up a weight division to challenge Poland's Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title.
Just four fighters in UFC history, including Irish superstar Conor McGregor, have held two belts simultaneously.
Adesanya was not surprised he was attempting to become the fifth.
"For me, this is exactly what I've always predicted to do in this game, is change the game and change history.
"I came in here just over three years ago and look what I've done so far. And I've got a long way to go."
While Adesanya wasn't shocked, those closest to him were still coming to grips with the magnitude of what he was trying to achieve.
Head coach Eugene Bareman said it was hard to overstate the significance of Sunday's fight, which would headline a star-studded UFC 259 card.
"When I think about it, it bewilders me a little bit. I'm like, 'man, this is massive, absolutely massive'.
"There's no comparison you can really make outside of combat sports. It's not like the All Blacks can go and win the Rugby League World Cup or anything like that. To have the opportunity to possibly win two bouts."
Adesanya taking that chance in a higher weight division, putting his perfect 20-0 record on the line in the process, had been the source of much discussion.
NZ UFC light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg. Photo: Photosport
But Bareman said the move spoke directly to his fighter's whole philosophy on life.
"Let's take risks, let's challenge ourselves, let's go into uncharted territory and try and do what people don't think that we can do.
"It's a part of him cementing his place in history and part of him doing something that people don't think he can do."
One person firmly in that camp was his latest opponent.
Having finally claimed the light heavyweight title, Blachowicz wasn't planning on giving it up in his first defence.
"I'll try to knock him out and defend myself the best I can," the 38-year-old said.
"I'll try to use my power, weight to take him down or just knock him out, we'll see. But he is a really good striker so I have to watch for everything, because also he can knock me out."
Adesanya's team-mates at Auckland's City Kickboxing were certainly confident about what they expected to see.
Eighth-ranked flyweight Kai Kara-France and the highly-touted Carlos Ulberg, making his UFC debut, will also be in action at UFC 259.
Ulberg said Adesanya was more than ready.
"He's prepared himself for years for this moment.
"He's seen himself to be the light heavyweight champion, years ago. It's nothing new to him, no surprise, and it's no surprise to us."
Photo: Stephen R Sylvanie / USA TODAY Sports via Photosport
Kara-France hoped to re-establish himself as a title contender in a highly competitive flyweight division on Sunday.
The newly first-time father said those ambitions were further fuelled by being alongside Adesanya.
"He's so confident in himself.
"That's what makes him so dangerous, even in the most stressful and dangerous moments, he'll always back himself.
"For this fight, he just can't get hit and he's just got to be on his toes the whole fight. There's no margin for error."
Adesanya was well aware of that, especially with Blachowicz on a four-fight win streak - three of those coming via knockout.
Most pundits were still predicting an Adesanya win, with plenty already talking about what he might do next.
The man himself was adamant he was taking Blachowicz seriously, but was also sure it wouldn't be long before he joined McGregor in becoming a truly global star.
"It's inevitable but I just have to get used to it. I just have to accept it and not hide from the role that I'm in, or hide from the platform that I'm on.
"A lot of people get to this point and then they start to like, what did Kanye West say 'y'all can have it back'.
"I just accept it now. It is what it is and I am who I am, so I just run with it."
On the eve of his greatest challenge, Israel Adesanya was keeping that same, confident energy.