Israel Adesanya interested to fight Dricus Du Plessis more than Khamzat Chimaev

14 August 2023

UFC Champion Israel Adesanya is interested more in a showdown with Dricus Du Plessis than a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev.

Adesanya revealed the same during his recent interview on his YouTube channel Freestylebender and noted that while he is welcome for a fight with Khamzat, he is more interested in fighting Dricus.

“Definitely definitely [Khamzat Chimaev is a contender] but again I do want to fight Dricus but he has to know he's not calling the shots here that's the thing I am so again a guy who oh my foot is this my foot's that yeah look at me my foot's a ballooned,” Adesanya said.

Adesanya's decision to lean towards Du Plessis suggests a multitude of factors at play, including stylistic considerations, potential narratives, and the champion's personal goals. It's clear that Adesanya is focused not just on maintaining his status but also on curating a career that offers intriguing matchups and meaningful accomplishments.

Anticipation was high for a heated showdown between Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis, slated to determine the UFC Middleweight Championship victor on September 9. This pivotal bout was all but set to claim the spotlight at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. Yet, a twist of fate emerged as du Plessis succumbed to injury, altering the course of the championship narrative.

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With du Plessis sidelined, the spotlight pivoted to Sean Strickland as the potential replacement. However, the journey leading to the prospect of Izzy vs. Strickland was far from smooth. There were bumps along the way that stirred intrigue and speculation. Strickland initially asserted that the UFC wasn't keen on the matchup, casting a cloud of uncertainty. This declaration left fans questioning the potential bout's feasibility.

Yet, just as the dust of doubt settled, Strickland reversed his stance, providing an update that the bout was in fact in the works. The back-and-forth nature of the situation painted a dynamic picture of the behind-the-scenes negotiations and complexities that often accompany high-stakes matchups in the world of mixed martial arts.