Adesanya is coming in off the back of a KO win over long time rival Alex Pereira. Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie
New Zealand world champion Israel Adesnaya will seek to defend his middleweight title against American Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney this Sunday.
Thursday night's press conference was a chaotic entree to the card, with the champion subjected to plenty of verbal barbs from his opponent.
Following the war of words, the stage is now set for a blockbuster battle inside the Octagon.
A host of New Zealand and Australian fighters will feature at the Qudos Bank Arena, where thousands of fans came to see the combatants duke it out on the microphone.
However, it was a surprising reception for the Stylebender - Adesanya - who was booed by the majority of fans.
All the talk prior to the event was regarding the confrontation between the Adesanya and Strickland, though it was Angolan Manel Kape who sparked the first fireworks as he launched a bottle at New Zealand flyweight Kai Kara France in the audience.
The pair were scheduled to meet on Sunday before Kara-France was forced to withdraw with injury.
Strickland tried to bait the champion with references to past social media posts and ex-girlfriends, but Adesanya was reluctant to engage.
"I am a good man I do good things, I'm proud of who I am, are you proud of who you are?" Strickland asked Adesanya.
"Come on Izzy give me something bro."
The champion responded: "When you argue with a fool, those who are watching can't tell who's who."
His response was very to the point when asked about whether the psychological warfare was having any effect on him.
"No. I'm gonna knock him out and do another cool little dance."
Despite the heated words, Adesanya claims he has no personal animosity towards Strickland.
"I don't really dislike him, he's just annoying, but again this is his moment, Sunday afternoon it's my moment."
Adesanya said he prefers to do his talking in the cage.
"I will show you a showcase, for now this is all fun and games."
Other New Zealanders on the card will include Justin Tafa, Carlos Ulberg, Shane Young and Michael 'Blood' Diamond Mathetha.
UFC 293 gets underway at 10am NZT with the main card from 2pm.
- RNZ