Israel Adesanya reveals that he would like to get a win over former rival Sean Strickland!
Fighters rarely forget their losses. The sting of defeat can last for years. This is especially true when you lose on the big stage and Israel Adesanya knows that feeling all too well. The former UFC middleweight champion has experienced incredible highs and devastating lows. His journey from kickboxing phenom to UFC superstar was noting short of meteoric. His epic battles with Paulo Costa, Robert Whittaker, and Yoel Romero cemented his legacy.
But the fight game can be cruel sometimes. After building an impressive championship resume, Adesanya hit a roadblock named Sean Strickland. Their clash at UFC 293 shocked the MMA world. Nobody expected the brash American to dominate ‘The Last Stylebender’ so thoroughly. The once-untouchable striker looked ordinary that night in Sydney. It wasn’t just a loss,it was a complete dismantling that left fans and analysts scratching their heads.
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Despite recently dropping another fight to Nassourdine Imavov, Adesanya isn’t ready to fade away. The Nigerian-born Kiwi has his sights set firmly on revenge. In a revealing YouTube video, Adesanya opened up about his desire to face Strickland again.
“I told Hunter (Campbell) already, I told coach, that it’s time. I just knew, and I know who. I have a feeling who I want to fight. You’ll like this one. I gotta get some get back. Strickland. I’m gonna get him back.”
What makes this callout interesting is Adesanya’s raw honesty. He didn’t make excuses for his loss. Instead, he acknowledged that Strickland “beat me fair and square in Sydney.” This kind of honesty is refreshing in a sport where fighters often blame everything but themselves.
There’s something deeper driving Adesanya’s hunger for this rematch. It’s not just about reclaiming glory or proving critics wrong. For The Last Stylebender,’ this fight feels personal. He made a surprising admission when talking with David Goggins on the same YouTube video.
“Everything he’s [Strickland] done since that, because, I used to get bullied a lot as a kid. So, he’s an embodiment of that in a sense. He attacked the young me, the inner child. So, I just want to protect him and get some get back for him.”
That’s what makes combat sports so fascinating. It’s never just about the physical battle. These fighters carry their life stories into the octagon. Adesanya’s vulnerability shows even champions have scars from childhood. Sometimes the toughest opponents aren’t across the cage. They are the demons within. If this rematch happens, fans will witness more than just two middleweights trading blows. They will see Adesanya fighting to protect that bullied kid from his past!
(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)
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