Few fighters in mixed martial arts have seen their stock rise more quickly than middleweight Israel Adesanya. The former kickboxing champion joined the UFC in February and proceeded to win three consecutive fights, two of which earned "performance of the night" bonuses.

His most recent victory over Brad Tavares, a bloody battle on July 6 in Las Vegas, displayed his immense skill set and physical abilities. Many immediately crowned him the sport's next star.

Derek Brunson wasn't one of them.

"You can't be serious, it was not impressive," Brunson told ESPN's Ariel Helwani this week. "Brad was supposed to be out of the fight, he was injured. He probably should have pulled out of the fight. He didn't look himself. Brad is a technical kickboxer. Very technical. Brad is not a wrestler.

"A lot of people are high on [Adesanya], a lot of people believe in him, but I'm not too much of a believer. I can't trick myself. Every fight, I train for the opponent very hard and smart. I'll do that for myself. But I'm not a believer in the kid. I think he's a good striker. I don't think he's a great striker."

Brunson (18-6) will get the chance to back up these thoughts when the two square off at UFC 230 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 3. It's a matchup fans have been clamoring for, not only based on fight possibilities but also the action outside the Octagon.

Adesanya and Brunson have been going at it on social media and in person in recent months. It eventually led to Brunson posting a video formally calling him out for the fight.

You talk too much. Nov 3, UFC 230 Madison square garden , pull up. This finna be a breeze. The last pretender adesanya @stylebender . ##ExposementParty @AliAbdelaziz00 @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 pic.twitter.com/SBkfnB29MB - Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 25, 2018

Adesanya, 29, is long and athletic. He uses his 80-inch reach to keep opponents at bay and is one of the top young strikers in the entire organization. Brunson, however, believes his elite wrestling skills will be too much for the New Zealand native and that he is "going to ruin his hype."

"I'm not a guy who is going to let you dictate or do whatever you want to," Brunson said. "I'm not impressed by this kid. His striking is OK. He's long, which is the best thing going for him. Doesn't hit hard. This is the fight I like. One of the easiest matchups I'll have in the UFC. One of the easiest people to prepare for."

UFC 230 will be a showcase for many of the world's top middleweights. Aside from No. 6 prospect Brunson vs. No. 9 Adesanya, Ronaldo Souza (No. 5) will face David Branch (No. 7), Yoel Romero (No. 1) will face Paulo Costa (No. 8), and while not official, Luke Rockhold (No. 2) vs. Chris Weidman (No. 3) is close to being finalized, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.

Israel Adesanya is 3-0 since joining the UFC in 2018. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

If things shake out that night the way Brunson wants them, he sees himself back in the title picture sooner rather than later. But it starts with an impressive showing against Adesanya.

"He's bad on the ground. His wrestling isn't good," Adesanya said. "I see holes in his game. He's a little frail guy. I think I'll get the finish early.

"If the guy would have just shut his mouth, I would have helped him out. But now I'm going to beat him up."