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Israel Adesanya reveals he’s ‘Getting ready’ for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis Former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has revealed he is currently in “pre-season” ahead of an impending return to…

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has revealed he is currently in “pre-season” ahead of an impending return to fight camp, amid links to a title fight with arch-rival, Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August.

Adesanya, a former undisputed middleweight titleholder twice under the banner of the organization, has been sidelined since last September, setting an unwanted record by dropping his title for the second time in the space of a calendar year.

Israel Adesanya shuts down boxing move from UFC the money's too much to get me back — Mandatory Credit: Mike Roach – Zuffa LLC

Suffering a one-sided decision loss to now-former champion, Sean Strickland, Adesanya has been linked with a title affair against South African foe, du Plessis, with a showdown at UFC 300 last month failing to come to fruition.

And with the Octagon set to return to Perth, Australia later this summer for a UFC 305 pay-per-view event, Adesanya has been linked to a title charge against du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya hints at impending Octagon return

Providing an update on his immediate fighting future, City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya confirmed he is set to enter fight camp soon, and is currently in “pre-season” for a comeback.

Israel Adesanya claims Dricus du Plessis turned down UFC 300 title fight they didn't want it

“We’re in, I guess, what you guys all pre-season – now which is getting ready so that we can get into camp fit, stronger and faster,” Israel Adesanya said during a video on his official YouTube channel.”

“I’m trying to take very day one at a time, I’m not trying to look too far into the future,” Israel Adesanya explained. “I’m not trying to look past a week, I’m just taking things as they come – it feels like I’m living in the moment [and that] makes me feel like I’m living according to my flow.”

GETTY UFC 287 Pereira v Adesanya 2 SPO GYI1480906107jpg JS808759612 1

In his most recent win, Adesanya reclaimed the middleweight title with a second round KO win over current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira back in April of last year in the pair’s fourth combat sports meeting.

Who wins in a future title fight: Israel Adesanya or Dricus du Plessis?

Israel Adesanya reflects on Sean Strickland’s Australian fan following at UFC 293: ‘They’re racists’

Israel Adesanya thinks Sean Strickland’s fans are just a bunch of racists — the ones in Australia anyway. Perhaps…

Israel Adesanya thinks Sean Strickland’s fans are just a bunch of racists — the ones in Australia anyway.

Perhaps the only thing more surprising than Strickland’s dominant five-round showing against ‘The Last Stylebender’ at UFC 293 was the overwhelming amount of support that ‘Tarzan’ received ahead of their unlikely title tilt. Dawning a Crocodile Dundee-style hat and a “for the people” t-shirt, Strickland captured the hearts of Aussies.

It was a frustrating realization for Adesanya who lives in New Zealand — a hop, skip, and a jump away from the land of Oz.

Looking back on Strickland’s unlikely fan following ahead of their September clash, Israel Adesanya labeled the former champ’s supporters in the country a bunch of racists before taking a dig at the outspoken star’s abbreviated title run.

“Nah, they’re racists,” Adesanya told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I think it was just me, them, it wasn’t my week. It was just him. He knows how to pander. He’s a great politician, I’ll put it that way. It was just his week, his moment to shine, and what a reign!”

An interesting take from the man who once questioned, “Who the f*ck is this cracker?” in reference to current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya unleashes some more on Dricus Du Plessis pic.twitter.com/VjdGcFmM8P

— MMA Mania (@mmamania) April 27, 2023

Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis likely for the UFC’s return to The Land Down Under

Israel Adesanya made it clear that he intends on evening the series with Sean Strickland sometime down the line. But first, he’s expected to square off with the “cracker” in a long-awaited title clash later this year.

Following a heated exchange at UFC 290, Adesanya and DDP were on an undeniable collision course until Strickland disrupted those plans with his shocking upset of the ‘Stylebender’ late last year.

Since then, ‘Tarzan’ has surrendered the middleweight strap to Du Plessis, once again putting him on a path that leads directly toward the division’s only two-time titleholder.

When and where that takes place is yet to be determined, but the promotion’s return to Perth, Australia for UFC 305 on August 18 is heavily rumored to host the 185-pound grudge match.

Check out Adesanya’s full appearance on The MMA Hour below:

Israel Adesanya claims to have ‘paved the way’ for Dricus Du Plessis: ‘He’s the fourth African champion’

Israel Adesanya believes he, and other African champions like Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, paved the way for Dricus…

Israel Adesanya believes he, and other African champions like Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou, paved the way for Dricus Du Plessis.

It’s no secret that ‘The Last Stylebender’ is not overly fond of the new middleweight world champion, particularly after Du Plessis proclaimed that he would become the UFC’s first true African champion. Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria before relocating to New Zealand at the age of 10, took exception to the comment and engaged in a racially charged face-off with ‘Stillknocks’ at UFC 290.

The two were expected to square off in late 2023/early 2024, but Sean Strickland threw a massive kink in those plans with a decisive decision victory over Adesanya to claim the 185-pound crown.

Four months later, ‘Tarzan’ relinquished the belt to Du Plessis, once again setting the stage for an epic showdown between the two African stars, though with their roles reversed.

Speaking about his tense feud with Du Plessis, Adesanya insisted that it was he, alongside a few other African superstars, who walked inside the Octagon so DDP could run.

“I paved the way for him,” Adesanya said on The MMA Hour. “Without me, one of the great African champions, he wouldn’t be here. He’s the fourth African champion in this game. Kudos to him, but we paved the way for him.”

Francis Ngannou, Israel Adesanya, and Kamaru Usman

Israel Adesanya insists the people of south Africa are his people

No official date has been booked for Adesanya and Du Plessis’ inevitable clash, but ‘Stillknocks’ has been pushing hard for the fight to go down in his native South Africa.

Asked about potentially fighting DDP on his home turf, the ‘Stylebender’ made it clear that the South African people are his people.

“Of course, they’re my people,” Adesanya said when asked if he would fight in South Africa. “I don’t care about cheers. They’re my people. I’m more in touch with the culture in South Africa than he is. I can guarantee you that. The people tell me, the people know. When I go there, the body language, the dancers, the vibe. When I’m there, they’ll know and they tell me, I’m their people.”

Check out Israel Adesanya’s full appearance on The MMA Hour below:

Dricus du Plessis puts fight with title rival Israel Adesanya on ice: ‘You’re summoned when I say you’re summoned’

Linked with an August comeback against former champion, Israel Adesanya later this summer at UFC 305, defending middleweight titleholder,…

Linked with an August comeback against former champion, Israel Adesanya later this summer at UFC 305, defending middleweight titleholder, Dricus du Plessis maintains that when he wants to “summon” the former to share the Octagon with him – he will do so, following a failed pairing at UFC 300 this weekend.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, won divisional spoils back in January atop UFC 297, handing common-foe, Sean Strickland a controversial split decision defeat in the pair’s grudge fight.

Dricus du Plessis taunts Israel Adesanya into UFC title fight be a man of your word and let's do this — Mandatory Credit: Vaughan Ridley

As for City Kickboxing staple, Adesanya, the former two-time gold holder has been sidelined since last September, dropping a championship fight to the above-mentioned, Strickland in a surprising decision shutout out the outspoken ex-champion.

Vetoing a potential UFC 300 title fight with the Nigerian-Kiwi this weekend as he continues to deal with lingering injuries from his fight with Strickland, Pretoria native, du Plessis is targeted to fight Adesanya in Perth as soon as August – with the pair potentially lined up to take main event honors at UFC 305.

Dricus du Plessis vows to “summon” Israel Adesanya when he wants

Commenting on a potential fight with Adesanya in August as well as how a bout was scrapped for this weekend’s pay-per-view return, du Plessis claimed he would “summon” the ex-champion for a fight whenever he so pleased.

Israel Adesanya backed to struggle in Khamzat Chimaev fight in future he's not gonna win UFC — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“…Once you get the title, you don’t have to make those risks, because it’s not an opportunity, it’s an opportunity for the contender, not mine,” Dricus du Plessis told during an appearance on the Shadow Banned podcast. “I declined fighting. It was with a heavy heart I had to decline UFC 300 because what an amazing privilege it is to be headlining that card.”

“But Izzy (Israel Adesanya) saying he’s been summoned, no,” Dricus du Plessis explained. “You are summoned when I say you’re summoned.”

Who wins in a future title fight: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Dricus du Plessis agrees to fight Israel Adesanya at UFC 305: ‘Looks like someone wants a beating in Australia’

Poking fun at arch-rival, Israel Adesanya’s one-sided decision loss to common-foe, Sean Strickland during their title clash Downunder last…

Poking fun at arch-rival, Israel Adesanya’s one-sided decision loss to common-foe, Sean Strickland during their title clash Downunder last year, incumbent middleweight kingpin, Dricus du Plessis appears to have accepted a potential UFC 305 title defense against the City Kickboxing staple in Perth in August of this year.

du Plessis, the current undisputed middleweight champion, turned in a close, split decision win over the above-mentioned, Strickland back in January in Canada, in the pair’s title fight main event at UFC 297.

Sean Strickland claims Canada tried to pull him from UFC 297 title fight they absolutely hated me — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Himself sidelined since he dropped his championship to Strickland back in September of last year back in Sydney, Adesanya has campaigned for a grudge fight with du Plessis – with his head coach, Eugene Bareman confirming if a UFC 305 championship outing was floated, his client would most definitely accept it.

“Israel will be fighting for the title next,” Bareman said. “The date, I’m not sure. Give us a date and we’ll take it. We’re sitting ready to go.”

“Israel’s pretty adamant that he has to fight for the title,” Bareman explained. “It’s not up to du Plessis. If that was the case, I wish Israel as a champion had those sorts of choices. The truth is, he probably doesn’t.”

Dricus du Plessis alludes to UFC 305 title fight return

And providing an update on his first attempted title fight defense later this year, South African force, du Plessis hinted at a UFC 305 title fight in Australia, in the form of a well-overdue grudge fight against Adesanya.

“Looks like someone wants another beating in Aus,” Dricus du Plessis posted on his official Instagram. “I’m in. I also wouldn’t want to fight the King of Africa on home soil. Manifestations working good for you AGAIN! #stillknocks #proudlysouthafricanza #preparetobeamazed #championoftheworld”

Who wins in a UFC 305 title clash: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?

Report – Israel Adesanya targeted to headline UFC 305 in Perth in title grudge fight with Dricus du Plessis

With the Octagon officially set to return to Perth, Australia on August 18. for a flagship UFC 305 event,…

With the Octagon officially set to return to Perth, Australia on August 18. for a flagship UFC 305 event, former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is reportedly targeted to headline the card in a long-anticipated title grudge fight against current gold holder, Dricus du Plessis.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion under the banner of the promotion, has been sidelined since he dropped his crown to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 back in September of last year in a return to Sydney.

Israel Adesanya vows to bring back vicious technique in UFC return I'm tuning it up — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

And as for du Plessis, the South African gold holder maintained his unbeaten record in the UFC back in January in a trip to Canada, dethroning the above-mentioned, Strickland in a close, split decision win over the North American.

Israel Adesanya expected to feature at UFC 305 in August

According to a report from the New Zealand Herald this morning, UFC 305 is officially set for August 18. in Perth, Australia – with the organization expected to explore the possibility of hosting a championship fight between du Plessis and Adesanya in a main event matchup.

"Israel’s pretty adamant that he has to fight for the title"

UFC will return to Perth in August, and Adesanya v du Plessis is the early frontrunner for the main event.

Event is the same weekend as Springboks v Wallabies in Perth too https://t.co/XMzeKtwRj0

— Christopher Reive (@ChrisReive) March 28, 2024

Furthermore, Israel Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman confirmed to the outlet that his product expects to compete for gold in his next fight, having seen a targeted clash with du Plessis failed to materialize for UFC 300 in April.

“Israel will be fighting for the title next,” Bareman said. “The date, I’m not sure. Give us a date and we’ll take it. We’re sitting ready to go.”

Israel Adesanya claims coach prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean Strickland

A return at UFC 305 in Perth for Adesanya would see the Nigerian-Kiwi make a return to the region to compete for the first time since he made his Octagon debut back in 2018, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in a second round TKO win against Rob Wilkinson.

Who wins in a title fight at UFC 305: Dricus du Plessis or Israel Adesanya?