Israel Adesanya appears ready to turn the page on the most difficult stretch of his professional career after confirming that he has signed a contract for his next fight and rediscovered his passion for competing.
The former two-time UFC middleweight champion has not fought since suffering a second-round knockout loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle in March.
The defeat extended his losing streak to four fights, leaving “The Last Stylebender” searching for answers after years of dominance in the division.
Israel Adesanya Signs Contract And Promises Blood In The Sand
However, Adesanya now believes he has found his motivation again. During a recent episode of his Precision Podcast with Demetrious Johnson, the Nigerian-born New Zealander confirmed that the paperwork for his return had been completed and issued a warning about what fans could expect.
We just signed the contract yesterday,” Adesanya said. “Finally. Both of them. You know, you’ve got the disclosed purse and the other one.
“The Last Stylebender” then made it clear that he is not approaching his comeback with doubts about his ability to compete.
All I’m going to say is there is going to be blood in the sand,” Adesanya added. “It’s easy to talk because I’ve lost my last four, but it’s all good. There will be blood in the sand, and it won’t be me.
Adesanya has been linked to a potential main event against Shara Magomedov in Saudi Arabia in December. Although the matchup has not been officially announced, it is reportedly the fight the UFC wants to book for the former champion.
The event’s status has also faced uncertainty amid security concerns in the region, though UFC CEO Dana White has maintained that the promotion intends to proceed with its planned Middle East events.
Beyond the contract signing, Adesanya’s comments suggest that his return is about more than simply getting back into the Octagon. The 37-year-old admitted that the past three years have been difficult and that he had lost the enjoyment that once drove his performances.
I’ve missed this sh*t,” Adesanya said. “The last three years have just not been fun. I’ve been lost, so I’m found again. I just can’t wait to showcase everything. Yeah, you’ll see. You know me, I speak from the heart, and I don’t want to let this get bigger. I’ll just show you guys.
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“The Last Stylebender” has not won since knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023. Since then, he has suffered defeats against Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Pyfer.
