Israel Adesanya explains how Anderson Silva fight to Kobe Bryant facing off Michael Jordan on basketball court

Israel Adesanya is set to defend his title against Sean Strickland in the main event of the UFC 293 pay-per-view card.

Israel Adesanya explains how Anderson Silva fight to Kobe Bryant facing off Michael Jordan on basketball court

Israel Adesanya compares fighting Anderson Silva to a duel between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant (via Imago)

Anderson Silva remains one of the greatest fighters to grace the octagon. Israel Adesanya is carving his own paths with respect to Silva. Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya famously fought in 2019. Adesanya referred to the matchup as Gaara vs. Rock Lee from the Naruto anime.

During the interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Israel Adesanya compared his fight with Adesanaya to the MMA equivalent of Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant facing off against the GOAT of basketball, Michael Jordan. The reference remained apt considering the fact that Jordan and Silva occupied somewhat of a similar place in their respective field. Many consider Israel Adesanya as the second-greatest middleweight fighter of all time behind Anderson Silva. It has some similarities to Kobe Bryant being second only to Michael Jordan.

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Israel Adesanya is set to defend his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. The fight headlines the pay-per-view card in Australia. It is the only significant fight in a thin card with no flair. The co-main event of the card features a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Alexander Volkov.

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Anderson Silva started to box after leaving the UFC. He defeated the likes of Tito Ortiz and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in boxing but lost to Jake Paul. Silva was recently inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Only time will tell if Adesanya will surpass the legacy of Anderson Silva.

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Everybody is a hero in their own movie, according to Israel Adesanya

Sean Strickland Israel Adesanya
Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya (Courtesy-Imago)

Israel Adesanya, in addition to being an elite MMA fighter, is also an anime fan. Naruto, Naruto Shippuden, One Punch Man, etc., are some of his favorite animes. Rock Lee from the Naruto anime remains his favorite character.

During the interview with TSN, Aaron Bronsteter compared Adesanya’s life to that of an anime story, to which Adesanya echoed Joe Rogan‘s philosophy that everybody was a hero in their own story. Adesnaya is adamant that Joe Rogan is that good.

Adesnaya has already beaten the top contenders in the division. He will defend the title against Sean Strickland. Strickland has a two-fight winning streak, while Adesnay is coming off of a KO over Alex Periera.

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