Israel Adesanya confirms plan to use ‘loophole’ ahead of UFC 287: ‘I’ll use an IV to rehydrate’

Former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has called for anti-doping agency, USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) to be on red alert ahead of UFC 287 this weekend, claiming he plans to use a “loophole” and rehydrate with the use of an IV, in the midst of controversy surrounding UFC 284 in February.

Adesanya, the current #1 ranked middleweight contender, most recently headlined UFC 281 back in November of last year at Madison Square Garden, suffering a fifth round standing TKO loss to Alex Pereira in an undisputed middleweight title fight.

Slated to take main event honors this weekend in Miami, Florida at UFC 287 – City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya will headline the flagship event against Sao Paulo native, Pereira – with the duo sharing the Octagon for the second time consecutively.

Sharing a cryptic message ahead of today’s official weigh-ins, Nigerian-Kiwi, Adesanya called for officials from USADA to be alert over the weekend.

“USADA, monitor us from the moment we get off the scale till we hit the arena on Saturday,” Israel Adesanya tweeted. “Have people take shifts if they have to… no loopholes to jump here.”

Furthermore, Adesanya claimed he would utilize an intravenous drip in a bid to aid in the rehydration process following this morning’s weigh-in in the ‘Sunshine State’.

“Fine then, I’ll just use an IV to rehydrate,” Israel Adesanya tweeted. “What’s the “legal loophole limit” again.” 

Adesanya’s comments come off the back of controversy surrounding the main event of UFC 284 back in February, with the former’s teammate, Dan Hooker accusing lightweight champion of illegally utilizing an intravenous drip to help rehydrate ahead of his successful title defense against New South Wales native, Alexander Volkanovski.