Israel Adesanya is open, and even perhaps keen, to tackle a non-title struggle task for his bout.
Whereas he’s remained comparatively quiet speaking about his rapid plans since his UFC 305 loss to Dricus Du Plessis in August, Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) revealed on “The Adam Carolla Present” on Tuesday his psychological roadmap.
“(A rematch with Du Plessis) will come afterward,” Adesanya mentioned. “Proper now, after I simply fought him, I don’t suppose it’s going to be instantly. I’d relatively simply struggle, probably not for the belt, simply struggle for preventing’s sake. … Although I don’t have the belt, they nonetheless have gotten my title of their mouth. I’m nonetheless Israel Adesanya. For me, I’ll allow them to name me out or no matter. In the intervening time, I wish to struggle another time earlier than the top of this yr or early subsequent yr. I don’t know but.
“I’m simply coaching, increase the place we left off. I’ll get the decision sooner or later with a couple of choices. I believe Dana will hit me up sooner or later. (Sean Strickland) goes to struggle Du Plessis first. I believe he’s subsequent. So even see how that performs out, see how the Rob-Khamzat struggle performs out, and there are another younger guys on the come up. So yeah, we’ll see.”
Adesanya, 35, has not competed in a non-title struggle since he defeated Anderson Siva by unanimous determination at UFC 234 in February 2019. The present two-fight skid he’s on is the primary stretch of consecutive losses in his skilled MMA careeer.
Du Plessis and Strickland are anticipated to sq. off in late 2024 or early 2025, after Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev struggle in a possible title eliminator bout Oct. 26 at UFC 308 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
