Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya talks to the media after losing to Sean Strickland (not pictured) during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Israel Adesanya Reveals Two Names On His Hit List For UFC Comeback Fight

Israel Adesanya breaks silence on his comeback plans, teasing high stakes showdowns fans didn’t see coming!

Israel Adesanya once ruled the middleweight division like a king sitting on his throne. He dispatched challengers with slick striking and an almost supernatural ability to make opponents miss. His reign seemed unstoppable for years, with memorable victories over legends like Anderson Silva and dangerous fighters like Robert Whittaker. But the fight game has a funny way of reminding everyone that no one stays on top forever.

The fall began when Sean Strickland shocked the world by outpointing Adesanya to claim the middleweight title in 2023. Then came the submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis, followed most recently by Nassourdine Imavov dropping him early in the second round this February. Three straight losses for a fighter who had seemed untouchable just a few years ago. It’s the kind of slide that makes fans wonder if ‘Father Time’ has finally caught up him. But Adesanya isn’t ready to ride off into the sunset just yet, and he’s got his sights set on getting back into the win column.

Israel Adesanya Has 2 Rematches In Mind For His Comeback Fight

Adesanya recently opened up about his comeback plans, and he’s not looking for easy fights to pad his record. Instead, he’s targeting two opponents who have significant history with him: Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Speaking with SunSport, the former champion made it clear he’s ready to get back in there.

“I don’t have to say much [about fighting Costa]. I’d be like, ‘Cool, alright, that sounds fun. [I’d] give him the chance at redemption like people have done for me as well. And [Sean] Strickland, if he wants to fight, sure.”

Izzy’s only looking for rematches. He says he wants Sean Strickland or Paulo Costa next. Which would you rather see?

(via @SunSport) pic.twitter.com/gJn5T13m6I
— Full Violence ™ (@Full_Violence) August 5, 2025

The Costa matchup makes perfect sense from a storyline perspective. Their first fight back in 2020 was one of Adesanya’s most dominant performances. He systematically broke down the previously undefeated Costa before finishing him with strikes. Costa hasn’t been the same fighter since that loss, struggling to find his rhythm and going just 2-3 in his last five outings.

The Sean Strickland rematch carries even more emotional weight. Strickland’s victory over Adesanya was one of the biggest upsets in recent UFC history, with the American completely neutralizing Adesanya’s creative striking game. Strickland turned that fight into a grinding, pressure heavy affair that exposed some weaknesses in Adesanya’s game that fans hadn’t seen before. The loss stung not just because it ended his reign, but because of how it happened: outboxed and outworked by a fighter many considered inferior.

However, Strickland’s current position in the rankings gives him leverage to be picky. Sitting comfortably at #2, he doesn’t necessarily need to take a fight with a struggling former champion. It’s a harsh reality for someone who was once the undisputed king of the division, but it’s also motivation to prove that his best days aren’t behind him just yet.

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Israel Adesanya

Paulo Costa

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!