[autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] could be back soon.
While he’s largely remained quiet since his UFC 293 title loss in September to Sean Strickland, “The Last Stylebender” doesn’t think he’ll be out of action too long.
Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has remained largely cryptic as to situational specifics and that continued during an interview Saturday with iFL TV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. However, Adesanya did shoot down speculation he’s taking years off from competition, a thought line that began after he made sarcastic comments to MMA Junkie and other reporters in October.
“My last few fights, I had four fights in 14 months as a champion in the UFC,” Adesanya said. “I was the most active champion, not fighter, champion, in the league. Life has forced me to take some time off and I will. But you will see me soon. I said 2027 and the retards out there actually thought I meant that, but you’ll see.”
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Adesanya’s most recent 11 bouts have been title fights. He’s had two stints as middleweight champion and unsuccessfully challenged for the light heavyweight title in March 2021.
The promotion’s next move for Adesanya is unclear at this time. Strickland defends the middleweight title Jan. 20 vs. Dricus Du Plessis in Toronto. Additionally, Adesanya’s most prolific competitive rival, Alex Pereira, now holds the promotion’s light heavyweight title.