Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is eager to return to the octagon sooner rather than later. After a nearly year-long hiatus, he fought at UFC 305 in Perth, where he faced Dricus du Plessis and suffered a submission loss in the fourth round. This defeat marked Adesanya’s second consecutive loss and his third in four fights. However, the former champion remains optimistic about his future in the sport.
Adesanya expressed his desire to fight again before the end of 2024, emphasizing that despite not holding the championship belt, his name still carries weight in the UFC. In a recent appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, he stated, “Even though I don’t have the belt, they still got my name in their mouth. I want to fight one more time before the end of this year, or early next year.” He is currently focused on training and is awaiting the UFC’s call regarding potential matchups.
During his title reign, Adesanya was one of the most active champions in UFC history. He lost his title to long-time rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281 in November 2022 but reclaimed it with a knockout victory at UFC 287 in 2023. However, his reign was short-lived, as Sean Strickland stunned the MMA world with a decisive win over Adesanya at UFC 293 in September 2023. This led him to take a step back before returning against du Plessis.
Reflecting on his performance against du Plessis, Adesanya acknowledged a critical mistake that contributed to his defeat. He cited a slip in footwork just before the finishing sequence, explaining, “It was just a moment in the fight where I slipped. I pointed to the ground and said, ‘It wasn’t you, it was the ground,’ and in that moment, I shouldn’t have pointed to the ground.” He recognized that this misstep allowed du Plessis to capitalize on the situation.
Despite the setback, Adesanya maintains a positive outlook. He said, “I can’t wait to do it again. Against who? We’ll find out.” His eagerness to return to competition showcases his love for the sport and his determination to improve.
In summary, Israel Adesanya is ready to bounce back after his recent losses, with aspirations for an imminent return to the UFC. His commitment to training and willingness to learn from past mistakes demonstrate his resilience as a fighter. Fans can expect to see “The Last Stylebender” back in action soon, continuing his quest for greatness in the octagon.
