Israel Adesanya confirms plans to rematch Sean Strickland after he “handles” Dricus Du Plessis: “It won’t take me that long”

By Harry Kettle - February 29, 2024

Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has confirmed his plans to rematch Sean Strickland if he gets past Dricus du Plessis.

Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya

Right now, Israel Adesanya is enjoying some well-earned time off following an incredible championship run in the last few years. In his most recent outing, he went up against Sean Strickland, falling short in a decision defeat. He lost his UFC middleweight title in the process, with Sean going on to drop the belt to Dricus du Plessis.

The popular opinion is that Adesanya will challenge du Plessis for the belt at some point later this year. If he does so, it’ll give both men a chance to settle a rivalry that’s been going on for quite some time.

RELATED: Sean Strickland weighs in on Israel Adesanya’s performance at UFC 293: “Am I fighting an amateur right now?”

Beyond that, though, ‘Stylebender’ is still passionate about having a rematch with the aforementioned Strickland.

Adesanya eyes Strickland rematch

“This took me six years to accomplish,” Adesanya said on avenging his loss to Alex Pereira on “This Past Weekend” w/ Theo Von. “With Strickland, it won’t take me that long. Let me just get through DDP (Du Plessis) first. Let me handle – I look to the next fight. I look ahead, like a little peek at the future. But I don’t try and focus on it.

“I just know the Strickland fight will come back around. I’m in a good place now health-wise, mentally, and I know exactly what happened in that fight that just wasn’t for me. He’s a great fighter. He’s also a good champion. What a reign. I mean, he did what he did. He did what he did. Look, even the way he beat me, it was spectacular. It was his moment.”

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Will the rematch happen? Let us know, BJPENN Nation!

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Topics:

Dricus du Plessis Israel Adesanya Sean Strickland UFC