Israel Adesanya wants to run things back with Sean Strickland this fall.
2023 was an up-and-down year for Adesanya. In April, he finally defeated his longtime nemesis, Alex Pereira, knocking out “Poatan” in the second round of their title fight at UFC 287. Not only did Adesanya reclaim the title that night, he went on to win Knockout of the Year for exorcising his demons in dramatic fashion. But just five months later, things turned for “The Last Stylebender” as he dropped his newly reclaimed title to Strickland in a one-sided performance at UFC 293. And now he wants some getback.
Speaking with reporters on the red carpet of the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, where Adesanya was being inducted for his 2019 fight with Kelvin Gastelum, Adesanya confirmed he’s hoping to return to action against Strickland in September or October.
“I think he’s going through something,” Adesanya said when asked about facing Strickland in the fall. “I haven’t really seen anything, but someone sent me a screenshot, like, ‘Oh, he’s fat now.’ I saw it and I was like, oh shit.
“Sean’s a guy who definitely has a lot of old school stuff, trauma he has to deal with. We all go through shit. But for him, that’s easy. He should have just said something and start roasting me or whatever. That’s a Sean Strickland thing to do, but he’s been quiet.
“Sean, it’s June, men’s mental health month. I hope you’re looking out for your mental health, and also looking out for your physical health. You fat bitch. [Laughs].”
Well, Strickland wasn’t quiet for long. Just a few days after that statement, Strickland found himself in another bad situation when he stormed the cage at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas and punched a fighter who taunted him after beating one of his teammates. There’s no word yet on whether or not Strickland will face a suspension from the commissions for his latest outburst, but if so, that could throw a wrench in Adesanya’s plans.
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