Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon in 2025. On Feb. 1, Adesanya will face No. 5-ranked middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.
'The Last Stylebender', who plans to get back to winning ways next month, has given fans access to footage of his workouts and sparring sessions. One such video attracted the attention of supporters, who showered the Nigerian-New Zealand combatant with admiration and praise.
After a win over current light heavyweight king Alex Pereira in 2023, Adesanya was dethroned by Sean Strickland at UFC 293. In 2024, he returned to the octagon to face champion Dricus du Plessis and get his lost strap back but was submitted by 'Stilknocks' in round four at UFC 305.
Preparing for his first non-pay-per-view bout since 2018, 'The Last Stylebender' appears to be leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for Imavov. With less than a month left until his comeback, he shared on X:
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A user commented:
"Izzy is locked in"
Another chimed in:
"bro will be EXPLOSIVE in the octagon Izzy by KO is a lock 🔒"
One fight enthusiast encouraged 'The Last Stylebender':
"Let’s goo champ 🔥🔥"
Check out a few more reactions below:
When Israel Adesanya opened up about his "hiatus" after losing to Sean Strickland
After losing to Sean Strickland in 2023, Israel Adesanya appeared on The Sias du Plessis Show and talked about the much-needed break he needs before fighting again.
Concerning that, he said:
"The hiatus was definitely needed. Because physically, mentally, even spiritually, I just needed a break from not just the fights but from the training camps and the constant rigmarole we put our bodies through as warriors...I’m the two-time UFC middleweight champion. To make it three times, that’ll be nice, but it’s not really the main goal."
He added:
“The belt, it was always like, yeah, definitely be a UFC champ, but to get there was more the journey. I was just enjoying beating people up. So I’m back there. I’m just gonna enjoy beating people up and the belt will come, and it’ll stay. And eventually I’ll let it go.”
Check out Israel Adesanya's comments below (0:33):
'The Last Stylebender' returned at UFC 305 and challenged middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis for the belt but was unable to win back the crown.