Dana White tried to convince Israel Adesanya not to fight Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
Adesanya was the UFC middleweight champion at the time, having avenged his defeat to Alex Pereira.
He knocked out the Brazilian star at UFC 287 in April 2023 in stunning style to reclaim the belt, and went into the fight with Strickland five months later as a big favourite.
However, it wasn’t to be the night for ‘The Last Stylebender’ as he was dominated by Strickland, who outpointed the Nigerian-born New Zealander to claim a unanimous decision win.
The 35-year-old has since embarked on a three-fight losing streak, so it’s no surprise he feels like he should have taken White’s words at face value.
Adesanya was discussing entering fights with an injury during a conversation this week with Sean O’Malley, who is headlining UFC 316 on June 8 in a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title.
O’Malley had brought up the subject, as he was dealing with a torn labrum in the lead-up to his first fight with Dvalishvili in September 2024.
However, ‘Suga’ felt he had no choice but to accept the fight with Dvalishvili as it was being held in Las Vegas’ iconic Sphere, and he had built up confidence following his wins over Aljamain Sterling and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
“I felt the same way,” Adesanya said, referring to his bout with Strickland that took place in Sydney, Australia.
“I was like, ‘I have to fight in Sydney, I have to fight in Sydney. I haven’t fought on this side of the world for so long.
“Then Dana [White] was like, ‘Listen kid, you have enough money, just chill out for a while.
“I said, ‘Nah,’ and I was stubborn, but in hindsight, I’m like, ‘Maybe Dana was right.
“Maybe I should’ve just chilled.’ But again, I love these stories – this is how it’s supposed to happen.
“Adversity is a privilege.”
Adesanya went on to say that he is happy with everything he’s achieved in the sport when discussing a potential date and opponent for a comeback fight.
After his defeat to Strickland, ‘The Last Stylebender’ challenged for the title once again against Dricus Du Plessis, who had picked up the belt by defeating Strickland in January 2024.
But Adesanya was submitted after four gruelling rounds and was forced to compete in his first non-title fight in six years when he fought Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia three months ago.
It was also his first fight since 2018 on a non-pay-per-view card in the UFC.
UFC Middlweight Rankings
Adesanya’s potential opponents
Dricus Du Plessis (champion)
- Nassourdine Imavov
- Sean Strickland
- Khamzat Chimaev
- Israel Adesanya
- Robert Whittaker
- Caio Borralho
- Jared Cannonier
- Roman Dolidze
- Anthony Hernandez
- Marvin Vettori
- Brendan Allen
- Paulo Costa
- Reinier De Ridder
- Roman Kopylov
- Abus Magomedov
Nevertheless, Adesanya’s career was left in tatters when France’s Imavov sent him crashing to the canvas 30 seconds into the second round of their Fight Night main event.
He has since recruited retired U.S. Navy SEAL David Goggins to get him prepared for his UFC return.
Adesanya is currently the No. 5 ranked UFC middleweight, with Khamzat Chimaev, Strickland, Imavov and du Plessis all above him.
Du Plessis defends his 185 lb strap for the fourth time at UFC 319 in August against Chimaev and it is likely that the winner of that fight will defend the belt against Imavov next.
This leaves only Strickland available out of those above Adesanya in the rankings, which is a rematch the latter has already welcomed.
Strickland, however, has called out ex-UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad this month, meaning a name like Caio Borralho (#6), Jared Cannonier (#7), or Roman Dolidze (#8) could be in store for Adesanya next.
