Israel Adesanya, the former middleweight champion of the UFC has spoken out of his future plans following his defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 293. The two-time middleweight champion laid out his plans at the Rock Podcast.
Adesanya has had a storied career in both kickboxing and MMA. The Nigerian-born, New Zealand-raised athlete is among the most renowned sports figures in the Oceanic region. Furthermore, he is one of the accomplished athletes training at City Kickboxing in New Zealand under the guidance of Eugene Bareman.
Adesanya discloses return timeline
Israel Adesanya, the once-unbeatable UFC middleweight champion, has dropped a bombshell on the MMA community. He’s taking an indefinite break from the sport. This unexpected announcement follows his unforeseen defeat by Sean Strickland at UFC 293. In that bout, many had backed Adesanya, but he ended up losing through a unanimous decision.
During an interview with New Zealand’s “The Rock” radio, Israel Adesanya shed light on his decision, prioritizing health over competition. “I’m not walking away,” he stated firmly. “I’m simply pressing pause. My body needs rest. It’s not about quitting but ensuring I can fight another day.” A possible factor for this break is his grueling fight schedule. Participating in four title fights in just over a year, even for a champ like Adesanya, is undoubtedly taxing. He acknowledged the intense pace, underlining the need to reset his lifestyle for peak performance.
Adesanya’s MMA career trajectory has been exceptional. Boasting a 24-3 record, he’s often celebrated as a top-tier middleweight. Born in Nigeria and nurtured in New Zealand, he’s successfully defended the middleweight belt five times, establishing himself as a UFC icon.
While UFC President Dana White initially favored a quick rematch between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland, Adesanya’s extended break has altered these plans. As a result, Khamzat Chimaev and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman are now scheduled to headline UFC 294. The winner of this bout may potentially face Sean Strickland for his first title defense.
Conor McGregor reacts to Adesanya announcement
Conor McGregor, known for his unabashed commentary, has decided to weigh in on the conversation about Israel Adesanya’s UFC hiatus. Adesanya’s recent interview on The Rock FM clearly outlined his plan to step back from the octagon. He attributes this decision to his grueling fight schedule, viewing the break as an opportunity to refresh and recharge.
Offering his two cents, McGregor’s response was a blend of respect and his typical bravado. He acknowledged Israel Adesanya’s undeniable talent, alluding to the middleweight champion’s dominance even in big glove boxing rounds. McGregor’s advice to Adesanya was straightforward, take the much-needed rest, and then return to seize the title.
However, in true McGregor fashion, he couldn’t sidestep a dig at Alexander Volkanovski. He dismissively quipped that Volkanovski “couldn’t even carry my spit bucket.”This swipe at Volkanovski might hint at McGregor’s intentions. With Volkanovski preparing for a bout against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294, McGregor’s pointed comment suggests he’s closely monitoring the outcome.
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