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Israel Adesanya prepared for Anderson Silva's unorthodox style - 'Been fighting guys who throw s*** like that all the time'

The Nigerian born Kiwi will face the Brazilian MMA legend next Sunday in Melbourne as the co-main event of UFC 234.

Kiwi UFC middleweight star Israel Adesanya will be put to the ultimate test next Sunday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, taking on mixed martial arts legend - Anderson "The Spider" Silva.

The 29-year-old Nigerian born fighter isn't fazed about the Brazilian fighter's resume, saying he has prepared for every scenario Silva will throw at him.

Adesanya said he has brought in extra help to his camp to help replicate some of Silva's fighting style.

"I have been fighting guys who throw s*** like that all the time and I have seen those type of looks [styles] before," said Adesanya.

"But Anderson is different and I’ll give that to him, he's different in the way that most other people don't approach the game.

"But I approach the game not like everyone else, that’s a differential as well. So, he hasn’t seen anyone like me and I haven’t seen anyone like him."

Adesanya brought in New Zealand Commonwealth Games gold medallist boxer David Nyika into his fighting camp, to prepare for his 43-year-old opponent.

"But I have seen guys like David Nyika, like the guy I brought in - the boxer, his hands are way better than Anderson.

Nyika stepped into the ring with heavyweight Junior Fa and UFC star Israel Adesanya.

"His looks, he's annoying to deal with let's put it that way, he's f***ing annoying to deal with when we spar but I'm getting better.

"It's like we always one up each other, so with him (Nyika) I know I can handle him - I can handle Anderson Silva.

"And everything else, the kicks I have some taekwondo guys."

Adesanya is 4-0 in the UFC and has an undefeated MMA record of 15-0.

Silva's last fight in the octagon was February 2017 at UFC 208 in New York, where he beat US rival Derek Brunson via unanimous decision.

The Kiwi fighter defeated Brunson last November at UFC 230 in the same city at Madison Square Garden via first round TKO.

"Anderson is just a guy like I said he hasn't fought in two years, so he said at first he didn't know who I was but he knows who I am now.

"If he still tries to deny it, he will find out."

Two other Kiwi fighters who will be fighting at the UFC 234 event, flyweight Kai Kara France is fighting Brazilian Raulian Paiva and featherweight Shane Young takes on American fighter Austin Arnett.

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