Israel Adesanya: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

UFC rebooks Adesanya and Pereira’s old rival for Vancouver debut

UFC has rescheduled the debut of a former GLORY Kickboxer who fought Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira in their primes. Adesanya and Pereira remain part of an exclusive club of ex-kickboxers who have made an extremely successful transition to MMA.

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Israel Adesanya claims he already knows Sean Strickland’s response to his recent callout

Sean Strickland has been handed an indefinite suspension, which will delay any plans for a rematch with Israel Adesanya. When Adesanya lost his middleweight title to Strickland at UFC 293 in 2023, there was always a sense that the two would meet again, given the way the fight played out.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 25

Israel Adesanya gives bold pick for Islam Makhachev vs. Jack Della Maddalena

Of all the upcoming UFC fights, Islam Makhachev's purported welterweight double-champ fight with Jack Della Maddalena is one of the most intriguing. Makhachev's size was his greatest asset at lightweight.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 24

Sean Strickland turns down fight against Israel Adesanya as he receives indefinite suspension

Israel Adesanya may have to wait a little longer until he can fight Sean Strickland again after the former champion has received an indefinite suspension.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 24

Israel Adesanya provides a bold prediction ahead of Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has offered his expert prediction for the upcoming welterweight title fight between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 24

Israel Adesanya Senses Serious Threat of Islam Makhachev Getting Finished in Next Fight

Islam Makhachev is undoubtedly one of the most dominant fighters in recent years with multiple hard-earned UFC title defenses. The former pound-for-pound ace recently vacated his lightweight championship to move up and try claiming a second UFC gold.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 24

Fan-Favorite Robert Whittaker Promises Fairy Tale Ending After Khamzat Chimaev Disaster

Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is undoubtedly one of the biggest fan favorites on the current UFC roster. Since joining the UFC in 2012, he’s taken on elite opponents, solidifying his legacy in the Octagon with a humble personality.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 22

Giant kickboxer who shared ring with Adesanya and Pereira set for UFC debut

One of Alex Pereira's longtime kickboxing rivals-turned-teammates is set to make his UFC debut at UFC Vegas 108. GLORY kickboxers have had mixed success in MMA and the UFC, with notable fighters like Gokhan Saki suffering tremendous knockout losses in the Octagon.

MMA News / HITC / July 21

Israel Adesanya predicts who’ll win Dricus Du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev with a ‘late finish’

Israel Adesanya won’t be in the Octagon next month, but he’ll still have a close eye on UFC 319’s main event. Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev for the middleweight title has been one of the most anticipated fights of 2025 since it was announced.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 21

Israel Adesanya predicts Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya is picking his winner for the middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319. Formerly the middleweight kingpin, Adesanya now rides a three-fight skid, with one of those losses to current champion Du Plessis.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 21

Israel Adesanya offers rare praise to old rival Paulo Costa after ‘vintage’ performance at UFC 318

Even Israel Adesanya couldn’t hate on Paulo Costa after he returned to winning ways at UFC 318. The middleweight duo shared a bitter rivalry before and after their title fight in September 2020.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 21

Israel Adesanya Foresees Brutal Ending for Khamzat Chimaev vs Dricus Du Plessis: 'Chaotic Good vs. Chaotic Evil'

UFC 318 is now in the rearview mirror, with Dustin Poirier securing his legacy among the all-time greats. But the action doesn’t stop there as the spotlight now turns to UFC 319.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / July 19

Israel Adesanya weighs in on Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier trilogy fight

Former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier will make his final walk to the octagon in tonight's UFC 318 main event in New Orleans. "The Diamond"

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 17

Honorary Undisputed Belt? Israel Adesanya Demands Special Recognition for Dustin Poirier

Dustin Poirier is set to enter the UFC Octagon this Saturday for a thrilling trilogy fight against veteran Max Holloway. The symbolic BMF title will be up for grabs, generating enormous excitement and hype throughout the MMA community.

MMA News / HITC / July 17

Israel Adesanya reveals what Paulo Costa needs to return to the top at UFC 318

Israel Adesanya believes Paulo Costa’s mindset is the deciding factor in how he performs at UFC 318. Costa is set to make his first appearance of 2025 when he takes part in the co-main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans on Saturday.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 14

Israel Adesanya reacts after Derrick Lewis used his infamous celebration following UFC Nashville win

Following his win at UFC Nashville, Derrick Lewis pulled out all of the emotes when celebrating in the Octagon. This past Saturday, the premier promotion returned to Tennessee for UFC Nashville, headlined by a heavyweight clash between Derrick Lewis and Tallison Teixeira.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / July 7

Can Adesanya Beat Strickland In A Rematch?

Israel Adesanya wants a rematch against Sean Strickland as we look at whether Izzy can avenge that loss. Adesanya’s career is at a crossroads, as he is experiencing the worst form of his career.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / July 3

Middleweight Vet Targeting Fall Date in Fabled Octagon

Israel Adesanya’s last trek to the famous Octagon took place on the first night of the month of February. That winter’s night saw him go to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for UFC Fight Night.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 3

Israel Adesanya rejected 4 movie offers including ‘Black Panther’ to focus on greatest UFC rival

Israel Adesanya has finally revealed the names of the movies he could’ve been in. Even after three-straight losses to the best fighters in the world, Israel Adesanya is still one of the UFC’s biggest superstars and also one of the most active champions in recent memory.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 3

Israel Adesanya was criticized by Hollywood star for ‘pitter-patter’ fighting amid dominant UFC title reign

Israel Adesanya caught flak from an unlikely source in the final days of his UFC title reign, as Jurassic World and MCU star Chris Pratt took aim at his fight style.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / July 2

Israel Adesanya’s Message to a Critic Came With a Warning

Israel Adesanya has been laying low since his hard-fought battle with Nassourdine Imavov, taking some much-needed time to reset after suffering three consecutive losses.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / June 7

Israel Adesanya predicts an early finish in the UFC 316 main event

A bantamweight championship rematch between titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Sean O'Malley headlines Saturday's UFC 316 fight card. Dvalishvili took the title from O'Malley when they first fought at UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas last September.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / May 20

Israel Adesanya Gives Candid Opinion on David Goggins Training Session, Fires Back at Critics

When UFC fighters find themselves on the edge of retirement, sometimes they need a hard reset. Whether it means training with a different team and learning new ways to approach a fight, or taking a long stint away from the Octagon, a change in their process is crucial if they want to regain success in the cutthroat world of MMA.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / April 17

Israel Adesanya: 'I want to fight again'

The fighting future of former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya became more clear when his coach, Eugene Bareman revealed that "The Last Stylebender" plans to fight again. Adesanya has lost three fights in a row, albeit against the top fighters in the 185-pound division.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / April 10

Coach hints at Israel Adesanya retirement

Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest names the sport of mixed martial arts has ever produced. Despite still retaining his superstar status, his career in the sport may have now run its course.