Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says he wants a rematch with Sean Strickland—the fighter who defeated him and took his title in September 2023.
The Nigerian-born New Zealand fighter has suffered three losses in a row, but he's now using that frustration as fuel to return stronger.
“I know who I want to fight,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “I need to get some payback. Strickland. I’m going to get him back.”
Strickland shocked fans when he beat Adesanya by unanimous decision at UFC 293 in Sydney. Since that defeat, Adesanya has been open about his struggles but says his desire to return isn’t about titles or fame—it’s personal.
MMA analyst and former fighter Chael Sonnen spoke about Adesanya’s mindset:
“You must understand—he doesn’t fight for belts or money. He fights out of anger,” Sonnen said. “The Izzy you don’t want to face is the one who’s angry. That’s when he becomes dangerous.”
Adesanya believes things will go differently in a second fight with Strickland.
“I’m quietly confident,” he said. “After watching the fight again, I could see what went wrong.”
However, some questions remain about Adesanya’s future in the sport. This losing streak is the first of its kind in his career, and his coach Eugene Bareman hinted that Adesanya might consider retirement.
“I don’t know what’s next for him,” Bareman said. “If he fights again, great. If not, we’ve been blessed to watch his journey.”
Strickland, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the division after losing the title, has shown respect for Adesanya despite their rivalry, acknowledging his influence in the sport.
Adesanya remains one of UFC’s biggest names, and fans are watching closely to see if he’ll step back into the octagon for the rematch he’s chasing.
