Morning Report: Israel Adesanya says there are ‘no concerns’ about staph infection ahead of UFC 248

MMAfighting.com

This weekend, UFC 248 takes place in Las Vegas, main evented by newly minted middleweight champion Israel Adesanya making his first title defense against Yoel Romero. But this past weekend, concerns about the fight cropped up when, in a video interview with Combat TV, Adesanya was shown with an open wound on his left arm.

This led to rampant speculation among MMA fans about Adesanya having a staph infection and how this might affect or even jeopardize the fight. But speaking with Ariel Helwani on Monday, Adesanya, who is already in Las Vegas, dismissed any concerns about the infection.

“It’s just a little something, a little scrape of myself,” Adesanya said. “That sh*t happens, but whatever. I’ll rub it on his face when it’s time.”

Adesanya went on to confirm that it was a staph infection but said it would not prevent the fight from taking place and that it has not affected his training at all. Adensaya even said (possibly as a joke) that there’s no concern of antibiotics affecting him because he didn’t take any; he willed the infection away.

“F*ck no! I’m here, right?” Adesanya replied when asked if this might jeopardize the fight. “I’m trying to get paid. I’m here. I’ve had malaria damn near eight times. I don’t know what else I’ve had. Like you think staph’s going to f*ck with me?

“I didn’t even take antibiotics, I just said ‘No.’ I looked at it and went ‘No,’ and it went away. I did it with this one as well when I went jet skiing. I had one on my thumb knuckle when i was jet skiing, the throttle, after a while it starts to bruise from having so much fun. That one got a little culture developing inside it but then I just said ‘No’ and it went away.”

Given Adesanya’s confidence, it certainly seems like all things are good to go for this weekend, at least with regard to “The Last Stylebender.” The question of whether Romero will make weight for the fight is always a looming one when “The Soldier of God” is set to make an appearance but as far as Adesanya is concerned, there are no concerns from his side.

“No concerns. I’m gonna fight and I’m gonna whoop his ass this weekend.”

UFC 248 takes place this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.