Israel Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, has officially announced his plans to return to the octagon, and he’s targeting a rematch with Sean Strickland. Adesanya, who has faced a challenging run in his recent fights, is determined to bounce back and redeem himself, setting his sights on Strickland as the opponent he wants to face next.
Adesanya’s last fight in the UFC was a difficult one, as he suffered his third consecutive loss earlier this year. The bout, which was held in Saudi Arabia as part of a UFC Fight Night event, saw Adesanya face Nassourdine Imavov. In a surprising turn of events, Adesanya was knocked down and subsequently stopped in the second round, marking a significant setback for the fighter who had been a dominant force in the middleweight division for years. This loss came on the heels of his title fight loss to Dricus du Plessis in August of the previous year, where Adesanya was submitted and failed in his attempt to become a three-time divisional champion.
Before these setbacks, Adesanya had already faced a major upset in his title defense against Sean Strickland. In what many considered one of the biggest surprises in UFC history, Adesanya lost to Strickland via unanimous decision. Strickland’s victory over Adesanya was a major turning point in both of their careers, and Adesanya has been vocal about his desire to avenge that defeat.
Adesanya recently spoke about his return to fighting during an appearance on David Goggins’ YouTube channel, revealing that he feels it’s time for him to make his comeback. “I told Hunter [Campbell], I told my coach, ‘It’s time.’ I have a feeling who I want to fight… I gotta get some get backs. [Sean] Strickland. I’m gonna get him back,” Adesanya said, expressing his desire for a rematch with Strickland. This announcement has sent waves through the MMA community, as fans eagerly await the potential showdown between the two fighters.
While Adesanya has been focused on helping his teammates and taking some time to recover mentally and physically, he has made it clear that his next fight will be even better than his previous performances. He acknowledges the struggles he has faced in his recent losses but is confident that he can overcome them and return to his former glory. Adesanya’s confidence and determination are palpable, and he is eager to put his recent losses behind him and prove once again that he belongs at the top of the middleweight division.
Strickland, who recently faced Dricus du Plessis in a title fight of his own, is coming off a tough loss as well. Strickland was on the receiving end of a one-sided unanimous decision defeat in his bout with du Plessis, which further fuels the intrigue around his potential rematch with Adesanya. The rivalry between Adesanya and Strickland, already filled with tension and drama, could only intensify with a rematch that many fans are already anticipating.
Israel Adesanya’s camp has been discussing his return for a while, and it’s clear that he has been focused on getting back into fighting shape. Tim Welch, the head coach of former UFC champion Sean O’Malley, revealed that Adesanya has been adamant about facing Strickland in his comeback fight. “It seemed like he [Israel Adesanya] was wanting that [Sean] Strickland fight back,” Welch said on his YouTube channel. “They said, and it’s not excuses, but his knee was very messed up, he was so burnt out, it was just a bad, bad night where he didn’t show up.”
Adesanya’s resolve to take on Strickland again speaks to his competitive nature and his desire to right the wrongs of his past performances. The upcoming fight, should it materialize, promises to be a high-stakes affair, with both fighters looking to prove themselves and move forward in their respective careers.
In conclusion, Israel Adesanya’s return to the UFC is set to be one of the most anticipated events in the promotion’s future. With his eyes firmly set on a rematch with Sean Strickland, Adesanya is determined to bounce back from his recent setbacks and reclaim his place as one of the best in the middleweight division. Fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of the fight, and it’s clear that the rivalry between Adesanya and Strickland will add even more fuel to what promises to be an exciting chapter in both of their careers.
