By FCF Staff

Israel Adesanya has the itch to fight again, and “The Last Stylebender” is looking to secure a rematch with the man who ended his last reign as middleweight champ.

Since Adesanya’s stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February, there’s been considerable speculation as to what could be next for the star. That loss was the 35-year-old’s third straight, and followed defeats to current champ, Dricus Du Plessis, and now former champ, Sean Strickland.

Adesanya (24-5) faced Strickland in September, 2023, and lost the bout via unanimous decision. In Adesanya’s bout prior, he had reclaimed the middleweight title by knocking out Alex Pereira.

During a recent video that went up on Adesanya’s YouTube channel, he reported that since sparring with Kamaru Usman ahead of UFC 314, he has the desire to fight again. The New Zealand based fighter also relayed he hopes to rematch Strickland (quotes via MMA Fighting.com).

“So for me now, I told my coach already, it’s time. I just knew. And I have a feeling who I want to fight. You’ll like this one: I’ve gotta get some get back. Strickland. I’m going to get it back.”

“…He beat me fair and square in Sydney. 5 – Nil. Just whooped my ass, badly. Again, that was one of the things that made me realize I need to slow down in my activity. I was fighting 3-4 times a year as champion. So I want to pull back now, because I’m older, I’m doing things different.“

Strickland (29-7) has fought three times since he defeated Adesanya, as he’s recorded a win over Paulo Costa, but he has dropped two fights to Du Plessis. In their second meeting, this past February, Du Plessis recorded a unanimous decision win over the outspoken fighter.