Former UFC middleweight king Israel Adesanya has been away from the Octagon for almost a year, which is something completely unusual for ‘The Last Stylebender’.
The last time Israel Adesanya stepped into the Octagon, he lost his 185lb title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, after being shockingly outstruck for five rounds.
‘The Last Stylebender’ is rumored to be returning to action this coming August at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, with him likely challenging current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, for the middleweight title.
Israel Adesanya explains the main reason for his comeback
Following his loss to Strickland, the 34-year-old admitted that he was going to take a long hiatus away from fighting, to finally sort out many injuries he had going into his fights over the past few years.
Since his time away from fighting, Adesanya has also made lifestyle changes as he attempts to recapture the championship mindset that got him to the top originally.
“I’m putting in work, I just want to optimize myself a lot better than I was,” Adesanya admitted in his recent YouTube video.
“Compared to how I used to live as an athlete, it’s not even close to how I’m living as an athlete now. Now I have breakfast before I actually train, I have a small protein or carb-dense meal. What I would do back in the day is wake up get to the gym, train once or twice, and then I’d have breakfast,” Adesanya said.
Although his next fight is likely against ‘Stillknocks’ for the middleweight title, the New Zealander has revealed the main reason why he is coming back, with him not being solely focused on the belt.
“I’m excited (to get back into the Octagon) it’s been almost a year, 11 months by the time I get back in the Octagon. People are always like ‘I hope you get the belt back’, I have belts.
“I don’t need any more belts, I’m coming for heads, that’s what I want to do. There’s just a few more that I have to touch and take,” the former champion added.
Dricus Du Plessis talks rumored Adesanya UFC 305 matchup
There is a bitter history between Du Plessis and Adesanya, with this potential fight being a grudge match. The 30-year-old admitted that he has agreed to the fight for UFC 305.
“I’m in, I’m ready and I’ve agreed to everything, I’m ready I want to do it, that’s the fight I want. I called him out after winning the belt and that’s the fight the fans want to see,” Du Plessis told Fightwave.
“Let’s just announce this thing, I don’t know what’s the hold up I want it to be announced. I’ve said yes 100%, I don’t know from his side I don’t know what the story is I don’t know what the hold up is, maybe the UFC is waiting for something, I’m not sure,” the South African continued.
The promotion may be waiting for the culmination of another big middleweight fight between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev, with the two scheduled for a five-round main event on June 22nd.
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