In Photos: Israel Adesanya looks focused as he trains and spars with "finish line" in his sights

Israel Adesanya is gearing up for his return to competition. [Image courtesy: @stylebender on Instagram]

Israel Adesanya is training like a man possessed to make a successful return to competition. The 35-year-old took time off from competition after losing the UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland in September 2023, and it looks like he has made the most of his hiatus from competition.

Adesanya is set to fight current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 on August 17. Recently, 'The Last Stylebender' shared glimpses from a training session as his comeback fight draws closer.

He wrote in the caption:

"Finish line in my sights. Start Strong, Finish Stronger!!"

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Check out the photos below:

Image courtesy: @stylebender on Instagram

Israel Adesanya is looking forward to show off his new skills, says he is coming for Dricus du Plessis' head

Israel Adesanya's decision to take an extended break from competition did not come as a surprise. When he held the middleweight strap, he was one of the most active champions in the UFC roster - so much so that many speculated that the strength of his schedule would eventually catch up with him. Speaking at the UFC 305 on-sale press conference, Adesanya shed light on how he utilized the time his time away from competition. He said:

"We've shuffled the deck at the gym. We've kept what was useful and discarded what wasn't. Added a lot of tools to my game. I look forward to getting in there and showing off what I can do."

When asked if the idea of becoming the first three-time UFC middleweight champion motivates him to train harder for the Du Plessis fight, Adesanya said:

"I'm already the two-time champion. [becoming a three-time champion] just adds to it. I've got so many belts. It doesn't really matter to me. And I'm saying, what I don't have is him, his head. And that's what I am coming for. So I want to fight with freedom and that's what I am going to do, fight freely."

Check out Israel Adesanya's comments below (22:30):

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Edited by Krishna Venki