Watch: American illustrator Gian Galang gifts Israel Adesanya incredible painting featuring ‘The Last Stylebender’ and Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya received a pre-fight gift from American illustrator Gian Galang ahead of UFC 281.
The second episode of UFC 281 Embedded opened with Galang presenting his work of art to the middleweight champion. Adesanya was thrilled to see his image portrayed in a comic book-inspired poster alongside his nemesis Alex Pereira.
Galang specializes in martial arts and action sports designs. According to the illustrator, the painting was meant to depict Adesanya as the hero and Pereira as the villain.
'The Last Stylebender' asked the artist if he could have the portrait, to which Galang responded that it was a present for him. An overjoyed Adesanya promised to display the painting in his house and even asked Galang to sign it.
Watch the video below:
Indeed, Adesanya's clash against Pereira comes with storylines fit for a superhero movie. The middleweight champion will go on a quest to become the conquering hero as he tries to defend his belt against the man who has handed him the most devastating loss of his combat sports career.
Adesanya fought Pereira twice during their professional kickboxing days. Their first match in 2016 ended with a close decision win for the Brazilian. The following year, Adesanya appeared to be on track to avenge his loss, until 'Poatan's' vaunted left hook found its mark on Adesanya's chin, knocking him out.
Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya doesn't want to fight him
Israel Adesanya claimed his upcoming clash against Alex Pereira is the most important fight for his legacy. But if Pereira is to be believed, 'The Last Stylebender' was only forced by the UFC to take the fight.
'Poatan' recently appeared on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast with Guilherme Cruz. During the interview, he claimed that the champ had only been coerced by the promotion into the fight. The middleweight title challenger said:
"He [Israel Adesanya] knows I’m not like the other guys he fought, otherwise the results would have been different in both times we fought... He knows I’m different, and I’m proving that. I’m showing that in my three UFC fights. I’m being honest here. He doesn’t want this fight. Nobody wants. His team doesn’t want it. People close to him don’t want it because they know the risk. Is he good? Is he the champion? He’s there because he did what he did. Everybody knows my potential and sees my evolution."
Catch the interview here.