Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Israel Adesanya Joins Forces with David Goggins, Eyes Epic UFC Comeback Against Rival!

Israel Adesanya ready to take on former rival in his comeback fight !

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Few fighters have experienced the dramatic highs and lows quite like Israel Adesanya. The former UFC middleweight champion once seemed untouchable in the division. His striking looked like something from The Matrix as he dodged punches by millimeters. Fans watched in awe as ‘The Last Stylebender’ picked apart opponents with surgical precision. His championship reign featured highlight-reel knockouts and masterful performances that cemented his place among UFC’s elite stars.

But the fight game shows no mercy, even to its most gifted athletes. Since July 2022, Adesanya’s career has taken a shocking turn with a 1-4 record. The Nigerian-born New Zealander suffered brutal losses to Alex Pereira, Dricus Du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov. His most surprising defeat came against Sean Strickland, who snatched Adesanya’s title in a massive upset that rewrote the middleweight landscape. Many wondered if they had seen the last of Adesanya after his knockout loss to Imavov in Saudi Arabia. But champions don’t stay down forever, and Adesanya appears ready to rewrite his story!

Also Read: Paulo Costa Responds To Potential Match vs Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 317

Israel Adesanya Links Up With David Goggins

Israel Adesanya has begun a new chapter in his comeback journey by training with David Goggins, the legendary former Navy SEAL and ultra-endurance athlete. Goggins has built his reputation on pushing the human body beyond normal limits. His “Hell Week” training programs break most elite athletes who attempt them. Adesanya shared glimpses of their sessions on social media.

Adesanya training with none other than David Goggins 😳 pic.twitter.com/XDk6l4L9cT
— Pedro Baptista (@mmacrash) April 20, 2025

This partnership brings an interesting twist to Adesanya’s career. Goggins previously worked with Tony Ferguson before his fight against Paddy Pimblett. While Ferguson lost that bout, he became one of only two fighters to go the distance with the rising British star in the UFC. For Adesanya, who has always prided himself on his conditioning, Goggins’ extreme methods might provide the mental and physical reset needed after three consecutive losses. The former champion is currently in Vegas for WrestleMania, but clearly isn’t just there for entertainment. Between the sweaty training photos and exhausted post-workout videos, it’s obvious Adesanya isn’t planning a quiet retirement.

Israel Adesanya Targeting Rematch With Sean Strickland For UFC Return

The ultimate goal of Adesanya’s brutal training regimen appears to be revenge against Sean Strickland. This potential rematch adds another layer to the Goggins connection, as the endurance expert has publicly feuded with Strickland in the past.

Izzy has been training with David Goggins and apparently, he wants to rematch Sean Strickland next 👀

(via @TimwelchMT) pic.twitter.com/qR6GOEJCFC
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) April 20, 2025

The original Adesanya-Strickland bout at UFC 293 shocked the world. Strickland’s pressure boxing style and constant forward movement completely neutralized Adesanya’s counter-striking game. Strickland dropped the champion early and dominated all five rounds to earn a clear decision victory. It was among the biggest title fight upsets in UFC history. Now, with Strickland recently losing his belt to Dricus Du Plessis, both men find themselves in the territory of rebuilding. A rematch makes perfect sense from both competitive and marketing perspectives!

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

David Goggins

Israel Adesanya

Sean Strickland

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!