This is according to Ariel Helwani. Speculation over Adesanya’s return arose after Dricus Du Plessis defeated Sean Strickland to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion. Strickland defeated Adesanya to win the championship, only to lose it in his first defence by a split decision at UFC 297. The new champion called out Adesanya, who is taking a vacation from the sport after losing to Strickland.
Du Plessis on Adesanya
“It’s not personal. It is not personal at all. That is exactly the type of fight people want to see. I want to fight the greatest competitors. There are a lot of men I’m going to fight, but the fans want to witness Israel Adesanya versus Dricus du Plessis. There is a lot of hype that has already been developed on it.
“If the fans start retreating and don’t want to watch Adesanya, we won’t fight. It’s alright with me. I do not care who it is. But it’s just the fight on top of my mind that I think the audience want to watch and would get a lot of people excited,” Du Plessis explained.
Du Plessis and Adesanya were scheduled to face one other, but Strickland’s victory over Izzy derailed those plans. However, now that Du Plessis holds the championship, a UFC 300 fight is being discussed. However, it is improbable that Adesanya will return.
Helwani On Adesanya
“I’ve asked several times about Izzy before to all of this. I’m continuously told I’m not ready for UFC 300. Perhaps the UFC is now asking, “All right, how do we make this right, how do we get you to fight at UFC 300?” “I don’t know,” Helwani said.
Adesanya is healing from an undisclosed injury and hopes to return to full training by the end of February. Since UFC 300 is scheduled for April 13, 2024, the turnaround time means an Adesanya’s return is difficult. However, the conflict can still take place in the future.
Given the circumstances of the win, Du Plessis may want a rematch with Strickland. The split decision result might have gone either way, with some claiming the American was denied a victory. Dana White even expressed his belief that Strickland had done enough to win. That has established the storyline for a rematch, so a Du Plessis-Adesanya battle may have to wait.
“We were just looking at how the media had scored it, which was right down the middle. I had it 2-2 heading into the last round, and I felt Strickland would win it. Guys sitting at the same table had it the opposite way. “It was a close fight,” White explained.
Currently, White has no intention to order an urgent rematch. However, if the Adesanya fight does not take place, Strickland may have another opportunity. In any case, Du Plessis wields considerable power.
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