MMA News Roundup: Jorge Masvidal responds to Nick Diaz, Rose Namajunas to return - 13th November

#4 Israel looking to make four title defenses in 2020

Israel Adesanya.

One of the most active fighters in the UFC, the reigning king of the middleweight division in the UFC, Israel 'The Last Stylebender' Adesanya wants to live up to his promise of being an active champion in 2020. Speaking to ESPN, Adesanya expressed the desire to defend his title at least four times in the coming year.

"I just won the belt. I have to pay respect to the game and do right by the belt. The division has been held hostage for so long. I want to defend my belt four times next year and then I'll go up to 205 and f**k him [Jon Jones] up."

He also confirmed his interest in becoming a two division champion someday by moving up to light heavyweight for a possible title clash with Jon Jones, but not before he is done cleaning up the middleweight division.

Adesanya was supposed to face the Brazilian Paulo Costa for his first title defense, but Costa was sidelined with injury, making way for Yoel Romero to step in and challenge Adesanya for the title. (h/t Sportskeeda)

#3 Thug Rose rediscovers her passion for fighting

UFC 237: Namajunas v Andrade.

After unexpectedly succumbing to Jessica Andrade at the main event of UFC 237, Rose Namajunas revealed that she had lost the passion for competing in MMA, but speaking to Ariel Helwani on his MMA show, 'Thug Rose' said that after taking some time off the sport, she has finally regained her lost passion and is now gearing up for a comeback.

"I lost the passion for martial arts and fighting, mainly for fighting, but I found my passon again. I went back to Minnesota to see one of my former coaches in my amateur career."

Rose went ahead and explained why she wanted to retire from the sport following her loss to Andrade.

"I wanted to retire because this isn't a job where you can go and half-a** and not be fully passionate about what you're doing. There have been times where I've not been totally confident in myself going into a fight but I just pull it off, get through it, push through it, like with injuries or being sick." (h/t Sportskeeda)