Israel Adesanya, the former long-reigning UFC middleweight champion, has been on a self-imposed hiatus since losing the title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Adesanya, one of the biggest stars in the UFC, has generated substantial Pay-Per-View numbers for the organization.
Return of The Last Stylebender is highly anticipated, and he has no shortage of potential opponents, given the notable storylines with many of the top-ranked fighters in the middleweight division.
When will Israel Adesanya end his hiatus?
Israel Adesanya, during his title reign, held the record for being the most active champion in UFC history. Despite being a favorite in the title fight against Sean Strickland at UFC 293, Strickland surprised many with his superior defense and even scored a knockdown on the ‘ The Last Stylebender.’
Following the loss, UFC initially planned an immediate rematch for Adesanya. However, during a podcast appearance, Izzy announced his plans for a hiatus. Subsequently, the UFC booked a middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Strickland.
Who do you want to see Israel Adesanya fight when he returns? đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/FuwLbxnvOs
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) December 23, 2023
Adesanya recently announced his return plans in a recent interview with iFL TV. “My last few fights, I had four fights in 14 months as a champion in the UFC, “said Adesanya. “That’s unheard of. I was the most active champion, not fighter, champion in the league,” he further talked about his accomplishment for the promotion.
“So life has forced me to take some time off and I will, but you will see me soon,” Adesanya clarified his stance on the return. Adesanya also has an iconic rivalry with Alex Pereira. Pereira, post his victory called out Adesanya to come up and fight him for the light heavyweight title but Adesanya was not interested and brushed off the callout.
Khamzat Chimaev teases potential fight with Izzy
Israel Adesanya already has potential opponents for his return, with notable fights involving Robert Whitaker, Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland, and the newly ranked middleweight, Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev recently sparked excitement among fans by expressing his intentions to fight at UFC 300 through Instagram.
Sharing two pictures, one depicting him on Kamaru Usman’s back during their UFC 294 co-main event and the other featuring Adesanya, Chimaev, who underwent surgery and is in recovery, has fueled anticipation for his return.
Chimaev recently announced his interest in fighting at UFC 300 on a recent Instagram Live. Dana White has revealed exciting fights for the upcoming event, including notable fighters like Bo Nickal, Aljamain Sterling, and Jiri Prochazka.
While a matchup between Adesanya and Khamzat was once highly anticipated, it continues to capture fan excitement despite Adesanya’s loss of the title, showcasing the enduring appeal of this potential showdown.
Do you think Israel Adesanya will return at UFC 300 against Khamzat Chimaev? Leave your comments below!
