Israel Adesanya says he is going to knock out Sean Strickland with painted nails at UFC 293 after American’s attempts to mock him

Sean Strickland said Israel Adesanya is the type of man who ‘paints his nails’ and the UFC middleweight champion claims that is exactly what he is going to do before he knocks him out.

Strickland has been firing shots at Adesanya in the build up to their championship bout at UFC 293 in Sydney on September 10.

Speaking ahead of the fight, the American said Adesanya represents a guy who ‘f***ing paints his nails’. 

And Adesanya, who is no stranger to colourful and flamboyant style, says he plans to do just that before putting Strickland to sleep.

‘He’s an idiot,’ Adesanya told MMA Fighting during an appearance for Stake.com. 

‘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. 

‘Well, I’m going to paint my nails for that fight and I’m going to knock him out with my painted nails.’

‘I don’t listen to people [telling me I should win],’ Adesanya said. ‘That’s [how]. I only listen to me and my team and this guy, he’s already pissed me off with his energy. The way he comes across and the way he tries to antagonize me.’

‘I don’t like the way he conducts himself,’ Adesanya said. ‘Even his sparring footage will pop up in my feed sometimes and I’m just like what the f***? Who does that? He’s a gym hero. 

Strickland has been taking shots at Adesanya in the build up to their championship fight

‘He’s just an idiot and he’s not the kind of person I associate myself with and also he’s fugazi.’

Adesanya is in the midst of his second run as middleweight champion after knocking out Alex Pereira to regain the title earlier this year.

Strickland, ranked no 5, has won his last two fights and holds a record of 27 wins and 5 losses.