Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya is looking to bounce back to his winning ways. Following a series of defeats, some observers have questioned his future in the sport.
His most recent fight ended in a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Imavov finished the fight in the second round, negating Adesanya`s strong start in the first.
`The Last Stylebender` has now suffered three consecutive losses since his notable knockout victory over Alex Pereira in April 2023. Despite this challenging period, the 35-year-old has confirmed his intention to compete again.
As he prepares for his next bout, Adesanya suggests he will integrate new knowledge and training methods, thanks in part to spending time with Sean O`Malley, who is set to headline the upcoming UFC 316 event.
Israel Adesanya Values Training Experience with Sean O’Malley
In a recent video shared online, Adesanya spoke about training with endurance expert David Goggins. However, Goggins isn`t the only notable figure the Nigerian-New Zealander has been working with.
Adesanya also shared footage of training sessions with O`Malley from April. Reflecting on this experience ahead of releasing a detailed vlog, the former middleweight king hinted that training with `Sugar` has inspired additions to his future camps.
Adesanya highlighted that it was his first time interacting with O`Malley outside of a fight context, including visiting his home. He noted a natural connection, stating, “I always knew me and Sean, we’re similar spirits.”
He elaborated on their shared approach to striking: “Being a striker, being a guy who uses his range, uses feints very well. We have similar tastes in the art of striking.”
Adesanya emphasized the value of their sessions, saying he learned “heaps of things” from O`Malley. He chose not to reveal specific details, feeling they were personal to his preparation. He expressed inspiration from O`Malley`s methods and stressed the importance of gaining insights from high-level athletes: “Hanging out with people like that who are high level, top of their field, if you don’t pick up something, then you’re missing the point. I had to pick up something from them just to bring back to my camp.”
Meanwhile, O`Malley`s next challenge is a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, following his defeat by the Georgian fighter last September.
Israel Adesanya Targets Rematch Against Sean Strickland
Although a date for Israel Adesanya`s next UFC fight hasn`t been announced, the former two-time champion has made it clear who he wants to face.
In another conversation, also posted online, Adesanya explained his desire for a rematch with Sean Strickland this year.
He mentioned informing UFC executive Hunter Campbell and his coach of his readiness to return and his target opponent. Adesanya revealed a personal motivation for wanting the Strickland fight, connecting Strickland`s behavior to his own past experiences with bullying as a child.
Adesanya stated, “I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. He’s an embodiment of that in the sense that he attacked a young me, the inner child. So I just wanna protect him and get some get back for him.”
Strickland famously ended Adesanya`s second middleweight title reign in a shocking upset at UFC 293 in September 2023. Competing in Australia as a significant underdog, Strickland dropped Adesanya early and then dominated the fight on the feet, earning a dominant decision victory in what is considered one of the biggest title upsets in UFC history.
