After getting into 2023 on the again of his first middleweight loss within the UFC and with out the title in his possession, Israel Adesanya now finds himself again on the 185-pound throne.
That is courtesy of a brutal knockout victory over longtime rival Alex Pereira, who has since made a profitable debut at mild heavyweight. With the Brazilian’s departure, Adesanya’s second reign is ready to get underway in opposition to a first-time opponent.
Initially, that was anticipated to be high contender Dricus Du Plessis, who seemingly secured a title shot together with his upset win over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290 final month.
However with the South African selecting in opposition to making the turnaround to problem for the gold in Sydney subsequent month, “The Final Stylebender” will as an alternative share the cage with the #5-ranked Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on September 10.
Heading into the competition, the Nigerian-New Zealander is being broadly seen as an amazing favourite in opposition to “Tarzan,” who was defeated by two former opponents of Adesanya’s in 2022.
Regardless of that, one former fighter-turned-analyst sees the bout as the most recent occasion of Adesanya selecting to combat the “hardest man” accessible.
Sonnen: Adesanya All the time Fights ‘The Hardest Opponent’
Throughout a video lately uploaded to his YouTube channel, ex-middleweight and lightweight heavyweight UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen reacted to affirmation of the primary protection of Adesanya’s second middleweight rule.
“The American Gangster” praised Adesanya for pursuing the hardest challenges, insisting that the Nigerian-New Zealander does not get the credit score he deserves for doing so.
“Israel Adesanya has as soon as once more gone out and located himself the toughest opponent that he may discover,” Sonnen stated. “I have to let you know, it form of drives me nuts that he does not get credit score for that. He does not at all times combat the quantity one-ranked man; that is true. However that is a narrative that is on the market on a regular basis… He at all times fights the toughest man. Is not that what primary contender’s ought to be, by the best way?”
To additional show his level, Sonnen highlighted Adesanya’s profitable pursuit of a combat with Yoel Romero again in 2020.
Whereas the matchup was criticized by some owing to the truth that the Cuban obtained a title shot on the again of a defeat, Sonnen noticed it as Adesanya selecting to problem himself in opposition to the hardest matchup potential.
“When he went after Yoel Romero and Yoel Romero was coming off a loss, Yoel wasn’t the primary contender and he wasn’t the quantity one-ranked man,” Sonnen acknowledged. “Nevertheless, he is a Cuban Olympic wrestler in opposition to a New Zealand kickboxer. It was the toughest match you might discover. Historical past says we should always have had a brand new champion that evening.
“I’ve appreciated Adesanya. I’ve appreciated his leisure. The best way I take a look at him after that, that callout and problem… I take a look at him in a different way. It goes from appreciation as an entertainer to a respect as an athlete,” Sonnen continued. “That is what he is doing proper now; went after Strickland.”
Sonnen’s take may additional be strengthened down the road ought to Adesanya welcome a date within the cage with the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev.
Whereas many count on a victory over Strickland subsequent month to result in a heated grudge match with Du Plessis, “The Final Stylebender” lately famous {that a} robust efficiency reverse Paulo Costa in October may see “Borz” soar to the highest of the road.
The middleweight strap's on the road in Sydney! 🏆🇦🇺@Stylebender will face @SStricklandMMA in September's #UFC293 essential occasion! pic.twitter.com/hgb3qSXPjU
— UFC (@ufc) August 10, 2023
Learn Additionally: Chael Sonnen Explains Why He ‘Appreciates’ Sean O’Malley’s Promotion Of Aljamain Sterling Combat At UFC 292
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