SYDNEY – Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland went at it during the UFC 293 press conference – this time over Monster Energy.
Adesanya (24-2 MMA, 13-2 UFC) defends his middleweight title against Strickland (27-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 293 headliner at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews/ESPN+ and early prelims on ESPN+.
Strickland has continuously mocked Adesanya for carrying the Chinese flag during his kickboxing days, coining the name “Chinaman.” But Adesanya had something for Strickland, too, questioning his decision to sign a deal with Monster Energy, which a few fighters, notably Dominick Cruz, have had an issue with and it’s owner Hans Molenkamp.
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Somethings money can’t buy.
Like actual friends, integrity or real skills.#freeplug pic.twitter.com/RYDerkAZUA— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) October 25, 2019
“I’m ready to give it to the Gods to fight the f*cking Chinaman,” Strickland said during Thursday’s UFC 293 press conference. “I’m ready to embrace the Bisping, to give up the f*cking eye.
“I’m ready to give what it f*cking needs to give because not only do I represent America, but I represent you guys. I represent you motherf*ckers. Anytime some sh*t goes down, I always use my platform to talk for you guys… what I don’t do is use my platform to f*cking sell out and make money.”
“He’s going to hold up a Chinese flag and f*cking swear allegiance to the CCP, man,” Strickland added. “F*cking grow a pair of f*cking nuts and grow a f*cking spine. You don’t even represent your country when you fight.”
Adesanya fired back, calling Strickland out on recently signing a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy.
“When did you sign to Monster Energy? When did you sell your soul?” Adesanya said. “Tell me. You sold your soul recently, right? Isn’t it funny that any time I have to fight someone, Monster signs them immediately and becomes a fan of them.
“You know why? Because I didn’t sell out and I didn’t sell my soul. What did you have to do to that pig-headed f*ck? What did you have to do to sell your soul to get that deal?”
You can watch their full exchange in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 293.
UFC 293 video: Israel Adesanya trashes ‘sellout’ Sean Strickland for Monster Energy sponsorship
