August 17, 2024 • 9 mins
Israel Adesanya isn't pulling his punches after his most recent fight in the octagon.
The Kiwi returns at this afternoon's UFC 305 event in Perth, challenging South African Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title.
It marks his first fight in 11 months - after losing the middleweight belt to American Sean Strickland last September.
Sky UFC host Ravinder Hunia explains what fans have to look forward to.
LISTEN ABOVE
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Israel Adisonna aims to become the first man in UFC
history to be a three time middleweight champion. He takes
on current champion Dricis Dupless and he's also looking to
rebound from losing that belt to Sean Strickland. And what
was a massive upset at UFC two nine three Sutland flap.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Had comes late final ten seconds San Lorenza check to
the body, lucky head sun second. Oh my god? How's
biggest upsets at USC championship history?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Elsewhere on the card this afternoon, flyweight Kai Cutter France
up against Australian Steve Erseg and lightweight Dan Hooker against
Matteas Gamrod of France. You can watch UFC three oh
five live on Sky Arena and stream it on Skysport
Now from two o'clock this afternoon. Let's bring a host
of UFC on Sky Ravenda Hernia, who is in Perth
(01:13):
at the moment. Revenda Israel told you during the week
I watched some of your coverage. He told you that
he feels like this is destiny for him. This afternoon.
Do you think winning a third middleweight title is his destiny?
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, you know, I'll believe anything he's telling me, to
be honest, he has a very influential way about him.
But no, it's been the word destiny was used. The
way I posed the question was it's been a very
emotional journey for him, not just fight week, but leading
up to this fight. You know, there's been a lot
of that rivalry between him and Dricus Duplass about heritage
(01:51):
and lineage and things. And I actually think it made
Israel look inside himself a little bit more and to
really concentrate on why he does things, concentrating on those
that love him as opposed that those who hate him,
because they sure are those out there. And I think
he's just gotten to a point now where it feels right,
that it feels like his purpose is back, his fire
is back. So I think that's where that word destiny
(02:12):
really came from.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
He's had an eleven month layoff, he's lost two of
his last three fights. How do you think he's placed
to bounce back this afternoon?
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Oh, I think he's every chance in the world. The
thing with Israel a descline here he's a little bit
of a freak of nature where although he does have
those two losses, he's still one of the best in
the business, one of the best to ever do it. Frankly,
you know, those two blemishes over a career that spans
over six years is pretty good to be to be
(02:43):
fair on him, It's hard to come by an undefeated
fighter in the UFC these days. I think Kobiebe is
probably the only anomaly that I can think of that
comes to mind. And he's not around anymore. So you know,
two losses, yeah, that will set you back. He's one before,
he's lost before, he's come back before. So I really
feel like with that purpose that's in his heart right now,
(03:04):
he's pretty much unstoppable this after all.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Right, how formidable an opponent then, as Drick is duplessy.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Oh, he's an absolute formidable force. And he's got that
title for a reason. And of course he won that
title from Sean Strickland, who beat israel A Desks on
your last year in Sydney in September. And it's because
he has that come forward, he has that brute strength
and he has that come forward. He will not go
away and that that is what Israel ad On you.
I'm guessing we'll be looking out for today. Israel ad
(03:32):
On your style or fight is to fight on the outside,
to use his range and to use that range well,
whereas drickis Duplessy likes to shut down that range, bully
himself and and and just be a savage basically. So
two very exciting styles you know that I think will
compliment for a great fight. But yeah, watch for drickis
Dupless's come forward and that brute strength.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
These two don't like each other very much, do they.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
No, And they've openly admitted it too. It's crazy they
don't usually.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
What's behind that. I know that there's there's been suggestions
of who the real African champions I think. I think
Drick has said that he lives in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I obviously he's very proud of both as New Zealand
and his Nigerian heritage. Is this just all trash talking
the lead up? Or is there something deeper here?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
You know? I kind of thought in the beginning, I
was like, Okay, great, they've created this narrative and this
is what we can run off of having conversations with Israel,
especially fight week. This week, it has cut him those
comments that Dricus initially made about, as you said, being
the real African champion. He says, you know, I live
breathe I was born here in Africa. I breathe the
(04:40):
African air. You know. I bring the title back to
the people. And israel A da Sonya doesn't he you know,
he migrated away and he's not here with the people.
So that's something that Israel A daths Sonya took to
heart because obviously, I mean he wasn't you know, living
absolutely in poverty when he was in Nigeria. But his
mum and dad well and truly made the move to
(05:00):
New Zealand to have a better life and to give
him and his siblings a better life. I think his
dad's an accountant, mum's a nurse, so they worked really
hard to get to where they are. And you know,
that's the reason why Israel fights, and they're his purpose.
So I think that struck a nerve that and I
think that's a lot a lot of New Zealanders can
resonate with that, is that you know, if you talk
(05:21):
all of where I'm from or who I am, that
you will take it to heart. And I think that's
what's happened here in it and it's for real, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Let's look at a couple of the other fights, your
co host on UFC on Scotty Dan Hooker against number
five ranked Matthias Gamrock. Dan Hooker feels like an underdog
in this one, but from the footage I've seen and
you talking to him, he looks really pumped up. How
do you reckon it'll go?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yeah. I mean I've been following Dan hook obviously for
his career and this I've never seen him so like
hungry for a fight but so happy at the same time,
like really content all at the same time. I feel
like he's really hit his stride in terms of peaking
at the right time in his career, in terms of maturity.
He says he feels he's in the best shape of
(06:05):
his life. He also feels like he's a better fighter
this time around. I mean, we were just talking about
celebrating ten years in the UFC, and he's saying, just
now he's like the best like he ever felt he is,
you know, being the older fighter. So I'm always a
firm believer that a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter,
and that is definitely Dan Hooker right now.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, he looks very happy up there, You're right. Was
that his daughter he had with her mum and at
the way.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
In it was indeed little Zoe. Oh she mounts your heart,
that little girl. But yeah, she took the stage yesterday
and mounted everybody's hearts. She sure did. And yeah, very
proud of her dad and how exciting for her to
be able to watch that on the big stage and
then join him, holding his hand and stuff. And it
showed a nice softer side to Dan too. He's always
(06:49):
so hard and you know, quite radical in things, so
it was nice to see a softer side to him
as well.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Indeed, and speaking of that, Kai Cutter France, I mean
I saw him at the way I'm very pumped up,
really into it, but then he also got very emotional
when you talk to him about his Fano back home.
What are your sense from Kaik Cutter France.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah, lot's changed for Qui Cutter France over the past year.
You know. He he had a bit of a ripoff
decision against Ameer al Barzi at a UFC fight night
last year and then since then hasn't been able to
fight because he's been battling concussion, so he's gone through
the ringer trying to come back from that. It's one
thing to come back from a physical injury, it's another
to come back from a brain injury, obviously, So he's
been you know, he's been with the specialists and testing
(07:30):
and trying to get back to tip top shape. He's
you know, leaned in with the Warriors to try and
help himself in the mental space. And within all of that,
him and his wife had another baby. So there's been
a lot happening for Quai Cutter France. And I think
you know through all of that and through all that journey,
that it's all come to this and this is his
moment to Shiner when he gets him a title shot.
So there's a lot on the line for him, and
(07:51):
I think I just caught him at a time where
maybe he realized all of that.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Yeah, what an occasion this afternoon. What's the venue like.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Aric Arena. Yes, we've been there a couple of times
now for both the press conference and the way and
it's a lot small, well than I expected to be honest.
I actually I think Spark Arena seats more than rac Arena.
If the if I've done my research properly there. But
it's a nice venue right in the middle of Perth
in the city and because of it being so small,
(08:23):
I can understand why the last time they had a
UFC at the spot they said that asn't you know
the fans are absolutely shaking the house, screaming and yelling
and things because it's quite intimate, So I'm expecting the
same today. You know, you've got an Australian or New
Zealander basically on every single fight on this car, so
it's going to be absolutely massive and a lot of
support behind our local fighters.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Absolutely can't wait for a really exciting afternoon, Revender. Thanks
for joining us, love and your work on Sky. I
hope it's a very memorable afternoon for you and for
all of our fighters from back here as well.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
I'm sure it will be. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
No, thanks for joining us, Rivenda Revender, who Ney of
there from a UFC on Sky So UFC three five
rac Arena in Perth this afternoon Israel Aardisogonna, aiming to
become the UFC's first three time middleweight champion, takes on
Tricastupla see that'll be a bit later on. The undercart
starts at two o'clock, So what are we now about
twenty four minutes away from things getting underweight. We'll keep
(09:19):
you up to date right across the afternoon on Israel,
but also on Dan Hookup and Caukara. France involved as well.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Israel Adisonna aims to become the first man in UFC
history to be a three time middleweight champion. He takes
on current champion Dricis Dupless and he's also looking to
rebound from losing that belt to Sean Strickland. And what
was a massive upset at UFC two nine three Sutland flap.
Speaker 3 (00:31):
Had comes late final ten seconds San Lorenza check to
the body, lucky head sun second. Oh my god? How's
biggest upsets at USC championship history?
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Elsewhere on the card this afternoon, flyweight Kai Cutter France
up against Australian Steve Erseg and lightweight Dan Hooker against
Matteas Gamrod of France. You can watch UFC three oh
five live on Sky Arena and stream it on Skysport
Now from two o'clock this afternoon. Let's bring a host
of UFC on Sky Ravenda Hernia, who is in Perth
(01:13):
at the moment. Revenda Israel told you during the week
I watched some of your coverage. He told you that
he feels like this is destiny for him. This afternoon.
Do you think winning a third middleweight title is his destiny?
Speaker 4 (01:28):
Yeah, you know, I'll believe anything he's telling me, to
be honest, he has a very influential way about him.
But no, it's been the word destiny was used. The
way I posed the question was it's been a very
emotional journey for him, not just fight week, but leading
up to this fight. You know, there's been a lot
of that rivalry between him and Dricus Duplass about heritage
(01:51):
and lineage and things. And I actually think it made
Israel look inside himself a little bit more and to
really concentrate on why he does things, concentrating on those
that love him as opposed that those who hate him,
because they sure are those out there. And I think
he's just gotten to a point now where it feels right,
that it feels like his purpose is back, his fire
is back. So I think that's where that word destiny
(02:12):
really came from.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
He's had an eleven month layoff, he's lost two of
his last three fights. How do you think he's placed
to bounce back this afternoon?
Speaker 4 (02:21):
Oh, I think he's every chance in the world. The
thing with Israel a descline here he's a little bit
of a freak of nature where although he does have
those two losses, he's still one of the best in
the business, one of the best to ever do it. Frankly,
you know, those two blemishes over a career that spans
over six years is pretty good to be to be
(02:43):
fair on him, It's hard to come by an undefeated
fighter in the UFC these days. I think Kobiebe is
probably the only anomaly that I can think of that
comes to mind. And he's not around anymore. So you know,
two losses, yeah, that will set you back. He's one before,
he's lost before, he's come back before. So I really
feel like with that purpose that's in his heart right now,
(03:04):
he's pretty much unstoppable this after all.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Right, how formidable an opponent then, as Drick is duplessy.
Speaker 4 (03:11):
Oh, he's an absolute formidable force. And he's got that
title for a reason. And of course he won that
title from Sean Strickland, who beat israel A Desks on
your last year in Sydney in September. And it's because
he has that come forward, he has that brute strength
and he has that come forward. He will not go
away and that that is what Israel ad On you.
I'm guessing we'll be looking out for today. Israel ad
(03:32):
On your style or fight is to fight on the outside,
to use his range and to use that range well,
whereas drickis Duplessy likes to shut down that range, bully
himself and and and just be a savage basically. So
two very exciting styles you know that I think will
compliment for a great fight. But yeah, watch for drickis
Dupless's come forward and that brute strength.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
These two don't like each other very much, do they.
Speaker 4 (03:55):
No, And they've openly admitted it too. It's crazy they
don't usually.
Speaker 2 (03:59):
What's behind that. I know that there's there's been suggestions
of who the real African champions I think. I think
Drick has said that he lives in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
You know.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
I obviously he's very proud of both as New Zealand
and his Nigerian heritage. Is this just all trash talking
the lead up? Or is there something deeper here?
Speaker 4 (04:19):
You know? I kind of thought in the beginning, I
was like, Okay, great, they've created this narrative and this
is what we can run off of having conversations with Israel,
especially fight week. This week, it has cut him those
comments that Dricus initially made about, as you said, being
the real African champion. He says, you know, I live
breathe I was born here in Africa. I breathe the
(04:40):
African air. You know. I bring the title back to
the people. And israel A da Sonya doesn't he you know,
he migrated away and he's not here with the people.
So that's something that Israel A daths Sonya took to
heart because obviously, I mean he wasn't you know, living
absolutely in poverty when he was in Nigeria. But his
mum and dad well and truly made the move to
(05:00):
New Zealand to have a better life and to give
him and his siblings a better life. I think his
dad's an accountant, mum's a nurse, so they worked really
hard to get to where they are. And you know,
that's the reason why Israel fights, and they're his purpose.
So I think that struck a nerve that and I
think that's a lot a lot of New Zealanders can
resonate with that, is that you know, if you talk
(05:21):
all of where I'm from or who I am, that
you will take it to heart. And I think that's
what's happened here in it and it's for real, all right.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
Let's look at a couple of the other fights, your
co host on UFC on Scotty Dan Hooker against number
five ranked Matthias Gamrock. Dan Hooker feels like an underdog
in this one, but from the footage I've seen and
you talking to him, he looks really pumped up. How
do you reckon it'll go?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Yeah. I mean I've been following Dan hook obviously for
his career and this I've never seen him so like
hungry for a fight but so happy at the same time,
like really content all at the same time. I feel
like he's really hit his stride in terms of peaking
at the right time in his career, in terms of maturity.
He says he feels he's in the best shape of
(06:05):
his life. He also feels like he's a better fighter
this time around. I mean, we were just talking about
celebrating ten years in the UFC, and he's saying, just
now he's like the best like he ever felt he is,
you know, being the older fighter. So I'm always a
firm believer that a happy fighter is a dangerous fighter,
and that is definitely Dan Hooker right now.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah, he looks very happy up there, You're right. Was
that his daughter he had with her mum and at
the way.
Speaker 4 (06:28):
In it was indeed little Zoe. Oh she mounts your heart,
that little girl. But yeah, she took the stage yesterday
and mounted everybody's hearts. She sure did. And yeah, very
proud of her dad and how exciting for her to
be able to watch that on the big stage and
then join him, holding his hand and stuff. And it
showed a nice softer side to Dan too. He's always
(06:49):
so hard and you know, quite radical in things, so
it was nice to see a softer side to him
as well.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
Indeed, and speaking of that, Kai Cutter France, I mean
I saw him at the way I'm very pumped up,
really into it, but then he also got very emotional
when you talk to him about his Fano back home.
What are your sense from Kaik Cutter France.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Yeah, lot's changed for Qui Cutter France over the past year.
You know. He he had a bit of a ripoff
decision against Ameer al Barzi at a UFC fight night
last year and then since then hasn't been able to
fight because he's been battling concussion, so he's gone through
the ringer trying to come back from that. It's one
thing to come back from a physical injury, it's another
to come back from a brain injury, obviously, So he's
been you know, he's been with the specialists and testing
(07:30):
and trying to get back to tip top shape. He's
you know, leaned in with the Warriors to try and
help himself in the mental space. And within all of that,
him and his wife had another baby. So there's been
a lot happening for Quai Cutter France. And I think
you know through all of that and through all that journey,
that it's all come to this and this is his
moment to Shiner when he gets him a title shot.
So there's a lot on the line for him, and
(07:51):
I think I just caught him at a time where
maybe he realized all of that.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
Yeah, what an occasion this afternoon. What's the venue like.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Aric Arena. Yes, we've been there a couple of times
now for both the press conference and the way and
it's a lot small, well than I expected to be honest.
I actually I think Spark Arena seats more than rac Arena.
If the if I've done my research properly there. But
it's a nice venue right in the middle of Perth
in the city and because of it being so small,
(08:23):
I can understand why the last time they had a
UFC at the spot they said that asn't you know
the fans are absolutely shaking the house, screaming and yelling
and things because it's quite intimate, So I'm expecting the
same today. You know, you've got an Australian or New
Zealander basically on every single fight on this car, so
it's going to be absolutely massive and a lot of
support behind our local fighters.
Speaker 2 (08:44):
Absolutely can't wait for a really exciting afternoon, Revender. Thanks
for joining us, love and your work on Sky. I
hope it's a very memorable afternoon for you and for
all of our fighters from back here as well.
Speaker 4 (08:56):
I'm sure it will be. Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
No, thanks for joining us, Rivenda Revender, who Ney of
there from a UFC on Sky So UFC three five
rac Arena in Perth this afternoon Israel Aardisogonna, aiming to
become the UFC's first three time middleweight champion, takes on
Tricastupla see that'll be a bit later on. The undercart
starts at two o'clock, So what are we now about
twenty four minutes away from things getting underweight. We'll keep
(09:19):
you up to date right across the afternoon on Israel,
but also on Dan Hookup and Caukara. France involved as well.
Speaker 1 (09:27):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk ZEDB weekends from midday, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.