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WEIGH TO GO
Israel Adesanya’s incredible body transformation revealed as UFC star bulks up over a stone in just six months
ISRAEL ADESANYA has undergone a big transformation ahead of his light-heavyweight clash with Jan Blachowicz.
The reigning middleweight king will lock horns with his 205lb counterpart early on Sunday morning in the main event of UFC 259 in Las Vegas.
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On Friday evening, the fan favourite tipped the scales at 200.5lbs - a whole 16.5lbs heavier than he was for his UFC 253 showdown with Paul Costa in September.
And after successfully weighing in for his historic bout, the Nigerian-born New Zealander took the time to pose for photos with a pizza box.
Unlike his before his previous 20 MMA fights, Adesanya has been afforded the luxury of continuing his regular strength and conditioning routine without having to worry too much about cutting weight.
The result has been a considerably thicker frame for his clash with Blachowicz, which will provide him with the opportunity to become a simultaneous two-division.
Although Adesanya's frame is larger than usual, he hasn't put on a considerable amount of muscle mass.
Earlier this week, he told : “I can still make 185 if I have to. Same flex baby, same thing.
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"That’s just silly to me when people go and decide to add more muscle to their frame that they’re not used to.
"For me, I just do this thing different.
"I want to bring it back to the rawness of martial arts technique so don’t worry about weight, don’t worry about all that.”
Blachowicz has paid little attention to Adesanya's bulkier physique in the build-up to their champion-versus-champion showdown.
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Poland's first male UFC champion told SunSport: "We will see how big he is going in the fight.
"I'm ready for whatever size he is. Gaining size is not easy.
"If he's lighter, my size or even if he's going to be bigger, I'm going to be ready for this.
"We're ready for this."
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Blachowicz has covered all bases this training camp by practicing with lighter and heavier sparring partners for his first title defence.
The former KSW light-heavyweight king said: "I train with lighter guys that have got really good speed.
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"I train with guys that are my weight and even with heavyweight guys.
"So I'm going to be ready for whatever he's got for me."
UFC champ Jan Blachowicz vows to end Israel Adesanya’s LHW title bid with a stunning head kick KO in the second round
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