Israel Adesanya never forgot Sean Strickland mocking his painted fingernails at the UFC 276 press conference over a year ago and seemingly every chance he's had since.
And "The Last Stylebender" plans to incorporate those insults into the finish of their UFC 293 fight on September 9, when Adesanya looks to defend his middleweight world title against the fifth-ranked Strickland.
“He’s an idiot,” Adesanya told MMA Fighting of Strickland. “I’m not going to lose to an idiot.
"He says he’s not going to lose to a guy that jerks off to cartoons or paints his nails," Adesanya continues. "Well, I’m going to paint my nails for that fight and I’m going to knock him out with my painted nails.”
The champ added: “I only listen to me and my team and this guy (Strickland), he’s already p***ed me off with his energy. The way he comes across and the way he tries to antagonize me.”
Adesanya was originally slated to face top contender Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 293, but the South African fighter reportedly suffered an injury forcing the company to name a new opponent. Adesanya already defeated No. 2 Robert Whittaker (twice), third-ranked Jared Cannonier and No. 4 Marvin Vettori, so the UFC tabbed No. 5 Strickland to receive the title shot in the main event.
The champion's latest comments follow him already vowing to knock the brash American out and do a TikTok dance over his grave during that UFC 276 press conference last summer.