‘I feel like the old dog but I’m still very dangerous’

Israel Adesanya, the “old dog” in the UFC, has the reputation of fending off the younger generation, according to Adesanya.

The 35-year-old Nigerian-born New Zealander is regarded as one of the best middleweights of all time and a two-time UFC champion.

He travels to France’s Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after coming off the mat for the first time in his 13-year MMA career.

Adesanya spoke recently of perhaps being a “gatekeeper” in the sport.

“I said ‘ gatekeeper ‘ as a joke. I feel like the old dog and then there’s the young guys coming up trying to prove themselves”, said Adesanya.

“And I have to inform them that I’m still here by sending them back down.”

” I feel if I lose my next 10 fights it wouldn’t affect my legacy. I’m not concerned about anyone else’s safety, so this fight is important to me. I’m doing this to prove to myself I’m still involved in this game, I’m still getting better, I’m still very dangerous. “

Adesanya will fight for the first time in 13 fights without a UFC championship on the line in the matchup with Imavov, who is 28 years old.

Imavov, who last defeated American Brendan Allen in September, enters the fight with a three-fight winning streak.

” I’m kind of being selfish – I fight for my team, my family and my real fans, but this I’m doing for myself, it’s really important to me, “said Adesanya.