Following his defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, Israel Adesanya's future in the octagon has been a topic of much speculation. However, recent comments from his coach, Eugene Bareman, have reignited hopes of a potential return fight before the end of the year.
In an interview with Combat TV, Bareman hinted at the possibility of Adesanya fighting again in 2024, stating:
“I would say that Izzy will fight again this year as well. It could be all on again, this year, it just doesn’t stop.”
Check out Eugene Bareman's comments below (19:35):
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The news of Adesanya's potential return has generated excitement among fans, particularly those who have been following the rise of middleweight contender Caio Borralho. Borralho, who recently defeated Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 96, has publicly expressed his interest in fighting Adesanya before challenging for the title.
“Maybe [Adesanya’s] not the same focused guy he was before, but he’s still the same guy with the same technique, skill and dominance…I think Adesanya might be the best fight for me right now. If I had to choose one more before the title, I think it would be Adesanya and then the title.”
Fans on social media have been quick to react to the potential matchup, with many expressing their support for Borralho and their desire to see him face Adesanya. One fan commented:
"Caio Borralho is waiting"
Another suggested:
"Gotta be against Borralho surely."
Check out some of the fan reactions below:
As the year progresses, it remains to be seen whether Adesanya will indeed return to the octagon and if a fight against Borralho will materialize.
Megan Anderson suggests potential opponents for Israel Adesanya following UFC 305 loss
Former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson has offered her opinion on Israel Adesanya's next move following his defeat at UFC 305.
If the 35-year-old is still aiming for a title shot, Anderson believes that a fight against the loser of the upcoming Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev bout would be a logical step.
However, if Adesanya is more interested in high-profile matchups, Anderson suggested that a showdown with former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka could be a lucrative option. Prochazka has previously expressed interest in dropping down to the middleweight division following his loss to Alex Pereria at UFC 303.
"I feel like it really depends on the direction he [Israel Adesanya] wants to go now - does he want to work back to a title shot or just have big money fights at this stage of his career? If title shot - fighting the loser of Whittaker/Chimaev. If big fights - Jiri Prochazka has mentioned a potential drop to 185 [pounds]."
Check out Megan Anderson's suggestions on Israel Adesanya's potential opponent below: