5 opponents Israel Adesanya has to beat to become the middleweight GOAT

#4. Israel Adesanya vs. Darren Till

Whilst Darren Till has not yet reached the level of success he hoped to achieve at middleweight, the 29-year-old still has room to grow. Till and Adesanya have regularly gone back and forth with each other, both being vocal about their desire for a matchup to be made in the future.

Till has recently been training at the Allstar Training Center in Sweden, along with the likes of Khamzat Chimaev and Alexander Gustaffson. If the work pays off and 'The Gorilla' is able to pick up a win or two in the middleweight division, do not be surprised if the UFC books Adesanya vs. Till in the near future.

Despite the 1-2 record at 185 pounds, Till is still one of the better strikers in the division. However, it is in his ground game that opponents have managed to take advantage of, with it being very clear in Till's recent submission loss to Derek Brunson.

Thankfully for Till, if a fight against Adesanya is made, it will likely be an all-out striking affair. This will give the both the opportunity to show off their skills on the feet in all its glory.

Should Adesanya win, the argument for him being the greatest striker in the UFC will only be strengthened, as will his argument for being the greatest middleweight of all time.

UFC Fight Night: Brunson v Till

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#3. Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland

Undefeated since moving up to the middleweight division, Sean Strickland is a clinical strategist inside the octagon, regardless of his somewhat polarizing personality.

UFC Fight Night: Reyes v Prochazka Weigh-in

Strickland's outspokenness could provide Israel Adesanya with a rivalry similar to that of the iconic Silva vs. Sonnen beef, which captured the attention of millions and raised both men to another level of stardom.

Strickland is also a striker whose relentless pressure could force the very best out of Israel Adesanya. The champ has been criticized in the past for occasionally coasting in fights, such as the bouts against Marvin Vettori and Yoel Romero.

Strickland will force 'The Last Stylebender' to be on his toes at all times, which is typically when he has shown true greatness.

UFC Fight Night: Strickland v Jotko