Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has given a major update regarding his return to the Octagon.
Adesanya last fought at UFC 293, where he lost his middleweight title to Sean Strickland. After the fight, ‘Izzy’ talked about wanting a break to rest up and spend time with his family. He even dropped a hint that he might stay away from the Octagon for three years until 2027.
In a recent interview, however, the former champ shot down speculations about his three-year hiatus from the cage and hinted that he might return sooner than expected.
“My last few fights I’ve had four fights in 14 months as a champion in the UFC,” Adesanya said. “That’s unheard of. I was the most active champion — not fighter — champion in the league. Life has forced me to take some time off, and I will. But, you will see me soon. I said ‘2027,’ and the retards out there actually thought I meant that. But, you’ll see.”
Rumor has it that the UFC is working on a trilogy between Adesanya and his arch-rival Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title at UFC 300. The two competed twice at middleweight, at UFC 281, where ‘Po Atan’ won by knockout in the fifth round, and at UFC 287, where ‘The Last Stylebender’ exacted his revenge by securing a second-round knockout.
Should Adesanya return at middleweight, he may have to fight in a non-title bout, since Strickland is already set to face Dricus du Plessis in a 185-pound title clash at UFC 297.
Who do you think Israel Adesanya will fight upon his return?
