‘I Am Still Israel Adesanya’

Photo by Will Russell/Zuffa LLC

Israel Adesanya is back.

UFC 305 marks the first time the former two-time Middleweight champion steps into the Octagon since he lost his title to Sean Strickland via an upset unanimous decision at UFC 293 in September 2023 (watch highlights). In his return, Adesanya challenges his rival, the champion, Dricus du Plessis, this weekend (Sat., Aug. 17, 2024).

Overall, it’s been a refreshing experience for “The Last Stylebender,” who expects to put on a vintage performance against South Africa’s finest.

“This is the longest layoff in my whole fighting career,” Adesanya told Stake. “I kind of got forced into taking a break because my body needed it. Not because of the fights, but the training camps. My mind, body, and spirit needed it, and I’m glad I got the break I needed and reset myself, reaffirm myself.

“My team is everything you need,” he continued. “I’m a friendly guy and a lot of the people I connect with feel like they’ve known me for years, but my team are the ones who will always be around me because they understand me. I’ve been here before, I’ve lost before and I know how things change, so for me, the defeat didn’t shake me. You watch this, in 10 days, I’m going to smoke this fool. I’ve been here before, but I’ll play the game a little differently this time.”

Adesanya’s last win has aged exceptionally well. In the pair’s fourth overall combat sports clash, Adesanya snapped Alex Pereira’s three-fight winning streak over him with a devastating second round knockout to reclaim his title at UFC 287 in April 2023 (watch highlights).

At this point, the 35-year-old isn’t concerned about the potential history he can make by joining Randy Couture as the only three-time UFC champion. Ultimately, he just wants to prove he’s still got it.

“It’s not so much about the belt,” Adesanya said. “For me, it’s when people doubt my skills after what I’ve done in this game and the classics that I’ve made. The main driving force is for me proving to myself that I am still me, I am still Israel Adesanya, and what drives me is proving me, to me.”

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