In a bad phase, Israel Adesanya fires at former rival and reveals desire for revenge in next fight

Israel adesanya in defeat to Sean Strickland No. UFC 293 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

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Living the worst phase of his career, with three consecutive defeats and without winning for more than two years, Israel adesanya is ready to seek a comeback in the UFC. To do so, the former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) sees the ideal first step as a rematch against the person responsible for starting his negative streak: Sean Strickland.

In a press conference held during the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony last week, the Nigerian expressed his interest in sharing the octagon with his rival again in September or October, but questioned the recent silence of the American, known for his provocations.

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“I think he (Strickland) is going through something. I didn’t see anything, but someone sent me a picture showing how fat he was. Sean is an old school guy, with a lot of trauma to deal with. We all have our shit. For him, it’s easy. He should have just said something, tried to humiliate me or something. That’s what I did.” Sean Strickland “He does, but he’s quiet. Sean, it’s June, Men’s Mental Health Month. I hope you’re taking care of your mental and physical health, you fat b***h,” Adesanya teased.

Strickland dethroned Adesanya in 2023

Israel adesanya e Sean Strickland faced each other in September 2023, in the main fight of the UFC 293. At the time, the Nigerian was defending his middleweight belt for the first time after regaining it with a stunning knockout over Alex Poatán. The absolute underdog for the fight, the American dominated the Nigerian for five rounds to win a unanimous decision and become champion of the category.

After that, Israel adesanya ended up finished by Dricus du Plessis in a new belt dispute, in 2024, and knocked out by the promise Nassourdine Imavov in February this year.

Moreover, Sean Strickland ended up dethroned by Dricus du Plessis in January 2024, bounced back with a victory over Paulo borrachinha months later, but lost the rematch against the South African for the belt, in February of this year.