Power-punching American Jared Cannonier admits there is growing mutual respect with UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya.
Following the Nigerian-Kiwi's dominant UFC 253 stoppage win over Brazilian Paulo Costa, Adesanya underlined Cannonier as the next challenger for his title.
But there is a dangerous obstacle in the way of that - former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
And despite being humbled by Adesanya's call out, the 36-year-old is well aware that the biggest fight of his career awaits on Sunday, in Abu Dhabi.
Cannonier and Whittaker will do battle inside the 'Fight Island' cage at UFC 254 in the co-main event, with the winner likely to be granted the next shot at 'The Last Stylebender'.
Cannonier's focus is on one man - the NZ-born Australian.
"I don't concern myself with what other people are saying I'm going to do or I get this if I beat Rob - I train and compete because I want to be a great mixed martial artist," Cannonier says of Adesanya's challenge.
"I appreciate the acknowledgement coming from the champion of my division, but when the fans hear that, they start to think I'm looking past Rob and that's kinda annoying to deal with.
"I ain't looking past anyone and I'm not concerned about what's next, because I know what's next after this fight.
"My only concern is this fight. The future is never set, but my intentions are, and I'm focused on being here and being present in this moment."
Adesanya spoke of the respect he has for Cannonier the human as well as the fighter.
The two have only crossed paths once - in 2018 in the dressing room at UFC 230. That night both were victorious and Cannonier says the energy they shared was positive - if not competitive.
"We acknowledged each other and it's kinda funny as he was sizing me up in that moment. He's even said that himself, and I remember him saying 'we will see each other down the line' - he was adamant about that, so I thought that was pretty cool.
"We took a photo together and sealed the deal."
The former heavyweight has been on a career tear since a 2018 loss to light heavyweight contender Dominic Reyes.
Cannonier is undefeated in three fights as a middleweight, stopping Dave Branch, Jack Hermansson and former champion Anderson Silva.
A win over Whittaker cements Cannonier as the undisputed No.1 contender and a mouth-watering bout with Adesanya in early 2021.
But don't expect the type of trash-talking build-up fans have been accustomed too for an Adesanya fight. The respect between the two combatants is evident.
"I'm not here to discredit any man and I certainly won't be doing that with Izzy.
"I see a warrior in Izzy - he is well aware of the issues going on in the world right now and I respect that about him, but at the end of the day it's all about me and he's not better than me. I am the man.
"It would be a fight to behold. I know for sure that when that happens, I will learn on the fly and make adjustments and that'll be fun for me to exercise my brain in that regard against a fighter of that calibre.
"He took his path and got to the top and I've taken my path to be where I am. I wouldn't say we are friends - I don't know Izzy that well - we are co-workers and I respect him as a martial artist.
"He is very entertaining and I have learned a lot watching him - he's an interesting guy."
Before all that though - it's the small matter of avoiding defeat against Whittaker, whose record in the last six years is as good as any in the UFC.
The 29-year-old is 10-1 since 2014 - that one loss coming at the hands of Adesanya a year ago.
Cannonier is under no illusions of the task ahead of him, but is predicting a short night at the office.
"He's a former champion - a recent former champion and his last three opponents have been in the top five of the division.
"Robert is accustomed to wars and I expect the best Robert Whittaker that we have ever seen.
"But I'm not looking for a war - I'm looking for a quick finish.
"I want a flawless victory."
The card will be headlined by the anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and American Justin Gaetjhe.
Join Newshub at 7am Sunday for live updates of UFC 254.
