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Israel Adesanya is looking to fight again in 2020, and has two options in mind.
After a dominant win over Paulo Costa at UFC 253, Israel Adesanya is now currently in a mandatory COVID-19 quarantine in New Zealand and thinking of his next move.
“I want to fight this year,” Adesanya told ESPN. “We’ll talk [with the UFC]. We talked a little bit [Monday] night, but we’ll talk some more. I can’t say anything yet, but we’ve got some plans. I want to fight again this year.”
Post-fight, Adesanya expressed interest in defending his belt against Jared Cannonier, if the middleweight contender beats Robert Whittaker on October 24. A few days later, and he’s added another name — and fellow UFC 253 winner — to the list of potential opponents.
According to Adesanya, he likes the idea of moving up to light heavyweight for a super-fight against the newly crowned champion in Jan Blachowicz.
“Yeah, we like that fight with Jan,” Adesanya said. “I like 205. I’m the best 205er in the world, what can I say?
“Also Cannonier, I’m still waiting for that. Everything is in the air right now. Let me chill.”
Can the undefeated middleweight perform well at a higher division and become a two-division champ? It remains to be seen, but it certainly wouldn’t be the first time he competes against much bigger men. Adesanya is 20-0 in MMA, but UFC 253 also marked his 100th win in combat sports, and he’s regularly competed all the way up to heavyweight during his kickboxing career.
Adesanya has also repeatedly discussed moving up to face Jon Jones in the past, but with the now former champion at 205 lbs supposedly planning to move up to heavyweight, it’s unclear whether that bout will ever push through.