Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has stated that he remains a key figure in the division despite recent setbacks, insisting that his return will restore excitement to the weight class.
“I’m always in the title picture. That’s because I’m Israel Adesanya, and I’ve done so much in this game,”Adesanya told Stake.com ahead of his highly anticipated comeback fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh on Saturday, February 1.
Adesanya’s Road to Redemption
The Nigerian-born fighter lost his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 last August, marking his second consecutive defeat after previously falling to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
However, the 35-year-old believes his time away from competition has made him stronger, and he is eager to showcase his improvements.
“Training has been more ramped up and more tightened when it comes to efficiency. We are definitely going to have more gas in the tank for Imavov. I’ve worked so hard in these 20 weeks or so,” Adesanya revealed.
This bout against fifth-ranked Imavov marks Adesanya’s first non-title fight since his 2019 victory over Anderson Silva, and a win could put him back in line for another title shot.
“Without Me, Middleweight is Getting Boring”
Despite his recent losses, Adesanya remains confident in his star power, arguing that his absence has left the middleweight division lacking excitement.
“Without me, middleweight is getting boring. So, it’s time to make it interesting,” he declared.
The former champion has been sharpening his skills alongside former rival Robert Whittaker, who believes Adesanya remains the favorite against Imavov.
The Rise of African Fighters in MMA
Looking beyond his immediate challenge, Adesanya beliefs African fighters will soon dominate the UFC, much like Dagestani fighters have in recent years.
“In MMA, there’s always a country or a group of people that come into the UFC and just dominate.”
“Right now, it’s the Dagestani’s who are here, with guys like Imavov and others with similar last names,” he said.
“Eventually, you will see names like ‘Olusoga and Mathias,’ and all those last names from Nigeria, and people will be like, ‘Oh st! He is from Nigeria, or the Congo, or Ghana?”
“Our time is coming when we will have that African dominance in the game.”
UFC Africa: A Dream Delayed?
Adesanya also addressed the long-discussed prospect of a UFC event in Africa, revealing his conversations with UFC president Dana White and the challenges preventing it from becoming a reality.
“Dana White and I have spoken on many occasions about UFC Africa. One thing about Africa is that we can be our own worst enemies.”
“The 1 per cent sometimes f*ck over a lot of their people just to stay rich and keep their friends rich. It’s a lot of red tape,” he admitted.
Backing Ngannou Against Wilder
While fully focused on his own fight, Adesanya also shared his thoughts on the potential boxing clash between Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder, backing his fellow African fighter to emerge victorious.
“Francis Ngannou and Deontay Wilder certainly still have the tools to be in the ring together. People forget in this TikTok generation who Deontay Wilder is – who has one of the highest finishing rates in heavyweight boxing history, and Francis Ngannou also became a star in the boxing world in just two fights,” he said.
Adesanya questioned Wilder’s mental state, referencing the American’s recent comments about exploring spirituality.
“I would back my boy Francis to win this fight. It also depends where Deontay is at mentally.”
“In one of his last interviews, he spoke about going to the jungle and doing Ayahuasca, so who knows where he is at,” Adesanya added.
UFC 305 Title Rematch: Adesanya’s Prediction
As for the upcoming middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, Adesanya expects a more decisive victory for the reigning champion.
“I think Dricus takes the cake. He’s a really good fighter, and he is good at what he does.”
“He’s already beat Strickland – even though he just edged it out, but I think he still won. I think this time it will be a bit more decisive,” he predicted.
A Must-Win Fight for Adesanya
With 24 career wins and 16 knockouts, Adesanya has built a legacy as one of the most dominant middleweights in UFC history.
However, his bout against Imavov in Saudi Arabia will be a crucial test of his ability to return to the top.
A victory could secure him a No. 1 contender fight or even a direct title shot, while a defeat could further push him away from championship contention.
Come February 1, the world will be watching to see if Israel Adesanya can prove that the middleweight division still belongs to him.
