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Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for titles in UFC return—he’s coming for heads: ‘I don’t need any more belts’

Israel Adesanya isn't coming for titles in his UFC return—He's coming for heads: 'I don't need any more belts' Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for belts—he’s coming for heads. After surrendering the middleweight world title for the second time…

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for belts—he’s coming for heads.

After surrendering the middleweight world title for the second time in the span of a year, ‘The Last Stylebender’ opted to take some time away from the fight game to heal and reassess. It now looks as though the time to sit back and relax is coming to an end as Adesanya has already begun gearing up for his highly anticipated return to the Octagon.

In a video clip shared on his YouTube channel, the former two-time titleholder made it clear that when he steps back inside the cage this year, it won’t be in pursuit of another belt. He already has plenty of those.

“People are always like ‘I hope you get the belt back’… I have belts,” Adesanya said. “I don’t need any more belts. I’m coming for heads. That’s what I want to do. Just a few.”

Israel Adesanya rumored for middleweight title fight with Dricus du plessis at uFC 305

Though no official announcements have been made, all signs currently point toward Adesanya making his return at UFC 305 when the promotion heads back to the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Standing across from him inside the Octagon will (likely) be reigning 185-pound champ Dricus Du Plessis. The pair appeared to be on a collision course following an incredibly intense face-off at UFC 290 following DDP’s big win over Robert Whittaker.

However, Sean Strickland’s lights-out performance against the ‘Stylebender’ two months later threw a kink in those plans.

With ‘Stillknocks’ dethroning Strickland at UFC 297, he and Adesanya are once again on a path that will ultimately toward one another.

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya has ‘No interest’ in title fight trilogy: ‘We have to forget about it’

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has echoed claims that two-time Octagon rival, Israel Adesanya has zero interest in…

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has echoed claims that two-time Octagon rival, Israel Adesanya has zero interest in fighting him for a third time in the promotion, urging fans and pundits to forget about a trilogy clash between the duo.

Pereira, a former middleweight titleholder and current light heavyweight champion, has been sidelined for the last two months, most recently headlining UFC 300 in the first defense of his 205lbs crown.

Taking on former divisional champion, Jamahal Hill in the event’s main event, Sao Paulo striker, Pereira laid waste to the returning Illinois native with a devastating opening round knockout, which has been a sore spot for the Dana White’s Contender Series product to date.

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis — Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank – USA TODAY Sports

As for Adesanya, the former two-time middleweight gold holder has yet to feature since UFC 293 back in September, suffering a one-sided unanimous decision defeat to common-foe, Sean Strickland in an upset title fight loss.

Alex Pereira talks failed Israel Adesanya title trilogy

Holding three professional combat sports wins over Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya – including a fifth round knockout win at the middleweight limit at UFC 281, Pereira claims he has tired his best – ultimately to no avail, to strike a trilogy fight with the City Kickboxing staple a division higher.

Israel Adesanya heaps praise on special human being Alex Pereira I'll always respect him

“I tried to make that fight – you saw I tried to make that fight – but he (Israel Adesanya) didn’t show any interest,” Alex Pereira told Fox Sports Australia during a recent interview. “I think we have to forget about it.”

“I’m a fighter, I’m ready to fight, no matter what,” Alex Pereira continued.

Welcoming a comeback as soon as August, Pereira staked his claim for a UFC 305 title fight in Perth, Australia – amid continued links to a title rematch with former light heavyweight champion, Jiri Prochazka.

Would you like to see Alex Pereira fight Israel Adesanya in the UFC again?

Video – New tape shows distraught Israel Adesanya vowing to beat Sean Strickland after UFC 293: ‘We’ll get him back’

The Last StyleBender’ Israel Adesanya has been a bit quiet since his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293….

The Last StyleBender’ Israel Adesanya has been a bit quiet since his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. The battle was vicious, and although Adesanya weathered an early storm, Strickland’s tenacity was just too much.

Israel Adesanya would end up losing his UFC middleweight title due to a decision loss, and he has been rebuilding himself ever since. Now, new footage has emerged showing just how deep these wounds may have cut into the man’s psyche.

Now, Roku, the streaming device provider/manufacturer: has launched a new series called Fight Inc. Inside the UFC. This series has highlighted some pivotal moments that have occurred recently in the UFC, with never-before-seen footage to boot.

Israel Adesanya’s family is shown reacting to his latest loss inside Roku’s new series

Israel Adesanya backstage after the loss to Sean Strickland

“It’s a good story for [Strickland], I’m proud of him. But I’m gonna get him. We’ll get him back.”#UFC #MMA

pic.twitter.com/Wt5nEQESr8

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 9, 2024

“You are still the champ,” Adesanya’s mother, Taiwo, said, giving her son a hug (H/T MMA Mania). “If you put your gloves down today, you are set for life. So don’t let anything bother you, okay?”

Israel Adesanya eyes title rematch with Sean Strickland mocks title loss again what a reign

“It’s a good story for (Strickland), I’m proud of him,” Adesanya told his father Oluwafemi. “But I’m gonna get him. We’ll get him back, okay? I promise.”

Israel Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, tried to heal the heart of his fighter in the meantime. “We had an off night,” he said. “Couldn’t find what we wanted but we will find it again.”

Sean Strickland threatens to stab Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 if he mentions abuse — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

As Dana White approached ‘Izzy’, the former champ still kept his head high. “Thank you for the opportunity,” he told White in a shot taken later. “Thanks for making that fight happen. Again, it doesn’t matter. Even if it’s his night, it doesn’t matter, it’s still history. It’s a good story for him, it’s a good story for America. It is what it is, that’s the game.”

When do you expect Israel Adesanya to return to the UFC?

Video – UFC PR team meets to discuss Sean Strickland’s unsavory comments ahead of Adesanya fight

Sean Strickland is keeping the UFC PR department busy. Despite being a former middleweight world champion, the first thing…

Sean Strickland is keeping the UFC PR department busy.

Despite being a former middleweight world champion, the first thing that comes to a fan’s mind when they’re asked about Strickland is his mouth—more specifically what comes out of it.

Over the last couple of years, ‘Tarzan’ has seen his star rise significantly, though little of it has to do with his talent. Make no mistake, he is talented, as evidenced by his lights-out performance against Israel Adesanya and his solid showing at UFC 302 against Paulo Costa.

Instead, Strickland often sees himself either praised or loathed by fans due to his often controversial and sometimes downright vile commentaries.

Recently, a clip from Fight Inc: Inside the UFC episode two has been making the rounds online, showing a behind-the-scenes look at a UFC PR meeting to discuss some of Sean Strickland’s more unsavory comments ahead of his UFC 293 title tilt with ‘The Last Stylebender’ in September.

UFC PR team failed to keep Sean Strickland in check

Considering Strickland spent a majority of the pre-fight press conference lambasting Adesanya and accusing the two-time titleholder of having an immensely inappropriate relationship with his dog, it’s safe to say that the UFC’s public relations team could have found a better use of their time.

Sean Strickland kinda-sorta apologizes for comments about Israel Adesanya’s dog: ‘I might of been a little insensitive’

Sean Strickland may have gotten in touch with his “inner Izzy” after having to put down his oldest friend….

Sean Strickland may have gotten in touch with his “inner Izzy” after having to put down his oldest friend.

Taking to social media, the former middleweight world champion offered his fans an unfortunate update, revealing that he had to put down his 14-year-old four-legged friend. Of course, Strickland couldn’t deliver the news without putting his own colorful spin on the otherwise sad announcement.

“Had to put down a 14 year old dog…. My first dog,” Strickland wrote on X. “My oldest friend Man I’ve been crying like a baby on and off for 8 hours Eyes swollen and overies hurtin haha.”

It didn’t take long for one fan online to recall some rather nasty remarks Strickland had made about the pet dog Israel Adesanya had lost ahead of their UFC 293 scrap last summer.

“My dog was my best friend… izzys dog might of been his gf lol,” he added in a follow-up post. “That being said I might of been a little insensitive… lol”

Sean Strickland solidifies his spot at the top of the rankings

Strickland claimed the 185-pound crown with a lights-out performance against Adesanya late last year in Australia.

Unfortunately, Strickland’s reign at the top was cut short after he surrendered his title to Dricus Du Plessis four months later at UFC 296. With the bout ending via a very close and somewhat controversial split decision, Strickland lobbied hard for an immediate rematch.

Instead, he got saddled with the division’s No. 7 (now No. 8) ranked contender, Paulo Costa. Squaring off in the UFC 302 co-main event, Strickland delivered another dominant performance, though it was inexplicably ruled a split decision by one inept judge who has since received a scathing review from UFC CEO Dana White.

Regardless, Strickland came out on top, solidifying his spot at the top of the rankings and establishing himself as the next man in line—once Adesanya and Du Plessis handle some long-gestating business first.

Israel Adesanya rips former rival Paulo Costa after UFC 302 loss to Sean Strickland: ‘He sucks’

Israel Adesanya figured Sean Strickland would beat Paulo Costa, so he wasn’t surprised to see him get the win…

Israel Adesanya figured Sean Strickland would beat Paulo Costa, so he wasn’t surprised to see him get the win at UFC 302.

Adesanya had fought both Strickland and Costa so he was familiar with both, and before the fight on his YouTube channel, he picked Strickland to win a decision.

After the result was read, Israel Adesanya gave his immediate reaction to it and said Paulo Costa sucks off the back foot so he wasn’t surprised that Sean Strickland was able to win a decision due to his pressure.

“Costa sucks off the back foot — he’s not really good off the back foot,” Israel Adesanya said on YouTube. “He’s doing better in this fight. Costa could set him up so bad here, man, because (Strickland is) so worried about that leg. It’s easier said than done, I’ll tell you that, but if you’ve worked on it, you know how to do it…”

“This is what I thought he would do,” Adesanya continued. “He’s walking him down. He’s possibly losing the rounds because he’s not really landing as much but he’s just like, ‘You know what? I’ll break him and eventually, I’ll just storm him.’ [Strickland] hammer fists your face, that’s how he throws his jab, he just throws a hammer fist.”

Paulo Costa vows to take heads off in return after Sean Strickland loss at UFC 302 I have the power — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

It was a good performance from Strickland to return to the win column after losing his middleweight title back in January to Dricus Du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya rips Paulo Costa after UFC 302

Following Sean Strickland getting the win at UFC 302, he called to fight for the belt next time out.

It’s expected that Israel Adesanya will face Dricus Du Plessis next and Strickland says he plans to wait out for a title shot.

“I’m going to wait,” Strickland said at the UFC 302 post-fight press conference. “I f*cking paid my f*cking dues. I paid my dues. I got f*cking robbed [at UFC 297] … we all know I got f*cking robbed, at least Dricus doesn’t back up. So I’m going to sit my f*cking ass in the gym and I’m going to be a team player and I’m going to f*cking wait, and I’m going to f*cking wait until they say, ‘Sean, go beat this man’…”

“As long as it takes,” Strickland said when asked how long he’s willing to wait to fight for the title. “I want the gold. When you’re fighting these top-10 motherf*ckers, you’re only one slip and dodge away from being knocked out. I paid my penance, I did what we did, I went and fought Costa. I didn’t want to, I did it. Give me the f*cking title shot. I beat Izzy and that motherf*cker gets a title shot.”

Sean Strickland is currently the No. 1 contender at middleweight and is 29-6 as a pro.