The rumor mills are rampant with news about Israel Adesanya’s return. UFC 305 takes shape from RAC Arena (AUS) in Perth in mid-August. As such, Adesanya headlines the card, facing Dricus Du Plessis in his maiden defense. DDP found his rhythm by outpointing Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Strickland is who Adesanya lost his gold to; he is thus doubly honed in on the enemy of the enemy who proved out better.
Recent times have been full of iconic fighters completing their storied chapters. Former dual division champ Conor McGregor’s return event is one. Dustin Poirier’s third bid at undisputed lightweight gold was another. On the other hand, Israel Adesanya was more of a self-inflicted sabbatical. Hence, a return against the current champion has deeper implications. However, he isn’t out for the gold.
I’m putting in work, I just want to optimize myself a lot better…Compared to how I used to live as an athlete, it’s not even close to how I’m living as an athlete now… I’m excited. it’s been almost a year, …People are always like ‘I hope you get the belt back,’ I have belts. I don’t need any more belts, I’m coming for heads, …There’s just a few more that I have to touch and take
Israel Adesanya via his Official YT Channel (@FreeStylebender)
Adesanya has taken time away to overhaul how he trains and eats completely. His UFC 293 title loss to Strickland had a deeper inkling than ever before. The vicious upset came out of nowhere. Moreover, speaking to the “She Loves The Gloves” Blog, head coach Eugene Bareman blamed the burnout on his easygoing pride. Instead of a laid-back demeanor, ‘The Last Stylebender’ promises action.
The top brass also booked a title eliminator bout between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev for UFC on ABC 6. Meanwhile, Adesanya is already aiming all his guns at ‘Stillknocks’ for the middleweight title. Du Plessis and Adesanya have a bitter history and differences in opinion about originality. Moreover, Whittaker and Chimaev remain on Adesanya’s hit list once the battle against Du Plessis ends.
Israel Adesanya urges the need to optimize himself and ‘close the show’
Snagging the undisputed status of being best in the division is what every fighter on the planet craves. For Adesanya, it’s currently more about the who than the what. Current champ Du Plessis will probably make his first title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. The City Kickboxing NZ middleweight is ready for the challenge.
Away from the Octagon for almost a year, Israel Adesanya is tweaking his approach (Source: nzpost.co.nz/X)The duo already have quite the history; they even shared space with a fiery face-off at UFC 290. South Africa’s first-ever champion, Dricus Du Plessis, has engaged in a long scuffle with him for the mettle of a true African champion. So, for Adesanya, it’s an opportunity on two fronts. But for such a title grudge match, he plans to step up his prepping.
It wasn’t really bothering me and I was able to get away with it, So I was still performing at peak…and better than everyone else. So if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it. It’s just now, I’m about to be 35 next month. And I realize Father Time wins…Before it was kinda like a little bit freestyle on my end…But I’d rather be really diligent with the way I prepare for these fights because, yeah, you wanna close the show nicely.
Israel Adesanya via his Official YT Channel (@FreeStylebender)
By his own admission, Adesanya endured ‘freestyle’ training regiments. Now that he isn’t the champion, he cannot indulge in such flexible and permissive routines. Soon to be 35, ‘Stylebender’ knows he won’t be doing it forever. Since his time away, Adesanya has tried to recreate the championship mentality that brought him to the top spot. If he does get to fight at UFC 305, he’ll be firing on all cylinders.
