Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has his sights on redemption against a familiar adversary next time out.
Adesanya is currently riding a three-fight losing skid — a disappointing run that began with a shock decision defeat to Sean Strickland in Sydney two years ago.
Against the odds and predictions of many, “Tarzan” dropped the then-champ early before comfortably outstriking him across five rounds. The title win went down as one of the promotion’s greatest upsets, and it was enough to net MMA News’ Performance of the Year award for 2023.
The result brought the Nigerian-New Zealander’s sophomore title reign to a quick end and served as the catalyst for a break. He's since returned to action and suffered stoppage losses to both Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov.
Despite some in the community calling for retirement, Adesanya was quick to dismiss that and outline the plan for his next fight — a rematch with Strickland.
During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Adesanya explained why he's so keen to run it back with the controversial American.
This time I am gonna come at him correct," Adesanya said. "I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. He's an embodiment of that, in the sense that he attacked young me, my inner child. So I want to get some get back for him.
Strickland most recently competed in a rematch, as he ran it back with champ Du Plessis in competition for the middleweight gold this past February.
Having failed to regain the belt at UFC 312 in Sydney, "Tarzan" has some work to do against fellow contenders if he's to reinsert his name into the championship conversation.