Israel Adesanya is setting his sights on a potential rematch with Sean Strickland later this year, aiming for a fight in the fall.
The year 2023 was eventful for Adesanya`s career. In April, he achieved a significant victory at UFC 287, finally overcoming his long-standing rival, Alex Pereira, with a spectacular second-round knockout to reclaim the middleweight title. This dramatic win against “Poatan” not only restored his championship status but also earned him the Knockout of the Year award. However, the landscape shifted just five months later at UFC 293, where “The Last Stylebender” lost his title to Sean Strickland following a surprisingly one-sided contest. Now, Adesanya is eager for another opportunity to face Strickland.
Speaking to reporters while attending the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, where he was being honored for his memorable 2019 fight with Kelvin Gastelum, Adesanya confirmed his intention to return to competition against Strickland, targeting a timeframe of September or October.
When asked about facing Strickland later this year, Adesanya offered his thoughts on his potential opponent. “I think he’s going through something,” Adesanya commented. He added that he hadn`t seen much of Strickland recently, but someone sent him a picture. “Someone sent me a screenshot, like, ‘Oh, he’s fat now.’ I saw it and I was like, oh shit.” Adesanya then reflected on Strickland`s personality: “Sean’s a guy who definitely has a lot of old school stuff, trauma he has to deal with. We all go through shit. But for him, that’s easy. He should have just said something and start roasting me or whatever. That’s a Sean Strickland thing to do, but he’s been quiet.”
Adesanya directly addressed Strickland, mixing concern with his typical taunts: “Sean, it’s June, men’s mental health month. I hope you’re looking out for your mental health, and also looking out for your physical health. You fat bitch. [Laughs].”
However, Strickland`s period of quiet didn`t last long after Adesanya`s remarks. Just a few days later, Strickland was involved in another controversial situation in Las Vegas when he entered the cage during a Tuff-N-Uff event and struck a fighter who had provoked him after defeating a teammate. The potential consequences, including whether regulatory commissions might issue a suspension for this behavior, remain unclear. Any disciplinary action against Strickland could potentially disrupt Adesanya`s plans for a fall rematch.
