Israel Adesanya desires to run issues again with Sean Strickland this fall.
2023 was an up-and-down 12 months for Adesanya. In April, he lastly defeated his longtime nemesis, Alex Pereira, knocking out “Poatan” within the second spherical of their title struggle at UFC 287. Not solely did Adesanya reclaim the title that evening, he went on to win Knockout of the 12 months for exorcising his demons in dramatic vogue. However simply 5 months later, issues turned for “The Final Stylebender” as he dropped his newly reclaimed title to Strickland in a one-sided efficiency at UFC 293. And now he desires some getback.
Talking with reporters on the crimson carpet of the 2025 UFC Corridor of Fame ceremony, the place Adesanya was being inducted for his 2019 struggle with Kelvin Gastelum, Adesanya confirmed he’s hoping to return to motion towards Strickland in September or October.
“I feel he’s going via one thing,” Adesanya stated when requested about dealing with Strickland within the fall. “I haven’t actually seen something, however somebody despatched me a screenshot, like, ‘Oh, he’s fats now.’ I noticed it and I used to be like, oh shit.
“Sean’s a man who undoubtedly has lots of old skool stuff, trauma he has to take care of. All of us undergo shit. However for him, that’s simple. He ought to have simply stated one thing and begin roasting me or no matter. That’s a Sean Strickland factor to do, however he’s been quiet.
“Sean, it’s June, males’s psychological well being month. I hope you’re looking on your psychological well being, and likewise looking on your bodily well being. You fats bitch. [Laughs].”
Effectively, Strickland wasn’t quiet for lengthy. Just some days after that assertion, Strickland discovered himself in one other unhealthy state of affairs when he stormed the cage at a Tuff-N-Uff occasion in Las Vegas and punched a fighter who taunted him after beating one among his teammates. There’s no phrase but on whether or not or not Strickland will face a suspension from the commissions for his newest outburst, but when so, that would throw a wrench in Adesanya’s plans.
