Israel Adesanya has spoken about what the next one is for him during his trip to Las Vegas.
'The Last Stylebender' is in the city for the International Vechtweek, where on 26 June the iconic fight by Adesanya with Kelvin Gastelum was recorded in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Adesanya has already weighed the UFC 317 main event, which takes place this Saturday evening, but there are of course questions about when he will return.
He is currently in a difficult position, in which the former two -time middleweight champion will be stopped earlier this year by Nassourdine Imavov.
In his opinion, the perfect way to bounce back from three consecutive losses is by revenge one of them.
Israel Adesanya calls on 'fat' Sean Strickland for a potential return in September or October
In an appearance on the Ariel Helwani show during the UFC 317 Fight Week, Israel Adesanya outlined that he would like to return around September or October.
'The Last Stylebender' specifically in October with the name Abu Dhabi as a potential target at which the UFC has not planned PPV event for September.
When he was asked about a potential opponent, Adesanya said that although Sean Strickland is the only opponent he is now aiming for, he has heard nothing from the former champion.
Strickland picked up a huge underdog victory at UFC 293 in September 2023 by terminating the second reign of Adesanya as the 185-pound title holder.
“The division is stagnating,” Adesanya noted. “I tried. That's the only one I want, but then he didn't respond.”
During his interview, Adesanya stated that he believes that Strickland has experienced something after he has sent videos from his former opponent in physical form.
During the red carpet during the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the former champion doubled in chasing the Rematch by sending a message to his former enemy.
“We are all going through s-but I think, for him, that is an easy, he should have just said something and to roast me or whatever. That is a Sean Strickland thing to do, but he has been quiet, so I was like ah. Sean, it is June, the mental month of the men.
Israel Adesanya shared a warm meeting with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson at the UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony
Although Israel Adesanya has not been able to attract Sean Strickland's attention, he happened to cross paths with a completely different figure.
On the same night that Adesanya's fight with Kelvin Gastelum was initiated into the UFC Hall of Fame, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson had the honor to bring Mark Kerr into the pioneer wing.
Johnson will play Kerr in the coming film 'The Smashing Machine', which will be released in October.
In their short interaction recorded by UFC cameras, Adesanya Johnson asked about the film and was introduced to Emily Blunt, who also plays the leading role in the film.