After a devastating loss to Alex Pereira just five months ago, Israel Adesanya, the renowned former pound-for-pound kingpin, has made a triumphant return to the top of the UFC middleweight division. In a spectacular showdown atop the UFC 287 pay-per-view event in Miami, Adesanya reclaimed his championship status with a second-round knockout victory over his long-time nemesis Pereira.
The fight was a highly anticipated rematch, as Adesanya had previously lost to Pereira twice in their days as professional kickboxers, and then suffered a knockout defeat when Pereira seized the 185-pound title at UFC 281 in November last year. However, Adesanya’s unwavering determination and unrelenting striking prowess proved to be the key to his victory this time, as he showcased his unmatched striking skills and defensive prowess to outmaneuver Pereira and secure the win.
Climbing Back to the Top: The Next Move for “The Last Stylebender”?
Before his upset defeat, Adesanya had enjoyed a dominant reign as the middleweight champion, having won the title from Robert Whittaker in 2019 and successfully defended it five times. He had only suffered one other defeat during that period, in a valiant but unsuccessful challenge for the light heavyweight title against Jan Błachowicz at UFC 259 in 2021.
In the wake of Adesanya’s return to form, fight fans and analysts alike can’t wait to see what his next move will be. With the competitive landscape at middleweight and beyond, there are several intriguing options for Adesanya’s next challenge. The B/R combat team has delved into the possibilities and compiled a list of five potential opponents for Adesanya’s next title defense.
Dazzling Future of Israel Adesanya in UFC, Exploring New Horizons and Conquering Middleweight Contenders
At the top of the list is a potential rematch with Robert Whittaker, the man Adesanya defeated to capture the middleweight title in 2019. Whittaker has since racked up an impressive winning streak, including a recent victory over Jared Cannonier, making him a formidable contender for Adesanya’s belt. Another enticing option is Paulo Costa, who has been clamoring for a rematch with Adesanya ever since their thrilling encounter in 2019, which Adesanya won via unanimous decision.
Adesanya has indicated an interest in attending the light heavyweight class for a super-fight against the defending champion, Jan Bachowicz. This would not only allow Adesanya to avenge his previous loss to Błachowicz but also open up new possibilities for his legacy in a higher-weight class. Additionally, there are talks of a potential showdown with UFC legend Jon Jones, who has recently moved up to heavyweight but has expressed interest in a future bout with Adesanya.
As Adesanya basks in the glory of his epic comeback, the future looks bright for the charismatic and talented fighter. With his unmatched striking skills, strategic mindset, and unrelenting drive for success, Adesanya has firmly established himself as one of the most exciting and dominant champions in UFC history. Whether he chooses to defend his title against middleweight contenders, explore new horizons in different weight classes, or engage in high-stakes super fights, fight.
