One of the biggest names in the UFC headlining a jam-packed card in Sydney? Sounds pretty good to us.
After effecting a second-round knockout against Alex Pereira and reclaiming the middleweight title in April, attention is on Israel Adesanya’s next fight and updates to to recent speculation.
So what’s the latest, when exactly is Israel Adesanya’s fighting next and will it be on Aussie soil? There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s get into it.
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Everything to know about Israel Adesanya’s next fight
Details around Israel Adesanya’s next fight were locking into place, after UFC290, before things met a few twists and turns.
UFC293 at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena is all but when we’ll next see the explosive Kiwi inside the ring. The card is on September 10 and confirmation has now occurred.
Who is Israel Adesanya’s next opponent?
Sean Strickland
Adesanya would wait to see who would emerge the winner of the UFC290 Middleweight title eliminator, in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena on July 8; either Dricus du Plessis or Robert Whittaker.
Du Plessis, in impressive fashion, got the shock TKO win over the Australian. So we knew then that Israel Adesanya’s next fight would most likely not be against Whittaker.
But then more recently it became highly doubtful Adesanya would take on number one contender Dricus du Plessis.
Adesanya was there to witness the carnage and proceeded to stare down the South African; kicking off the mind games and generating instant content and anticipation. But there’s now doubt the pair will not clash inside the octagon.
But more recently, Adesanya made claims du Plessis didn’t want the fight. At that point, links to American Sean Strickland, the sixth-ranked middleweight, started to sure up. And that’s where it’s landed.
Adesanya’s next fight will be against Sean Strickland in Sydney at UFC293.
When and where is Israel Adesanya’s next fight?
SEPTEMBER 10, QUDOS BANK ARENA
UFC 293 will take place on September 10 at Qudos Bank Arena.
Adesanya had hinted that he wants the event to take place at a stadium. Perhaps he gets that wish for one of the future UFC cards scheduled to happen in Sydney.
“I feel like Perth, Islam versus Volk, I remember feeling frustrated,” Adesanya said.
“I even talked to Mick (Maynard, UFC matchmaker) and said ‘why wasn’t this fight in a stadium?” he said.
“But this one, yeah, it will be a nice day. It can be in Sydney, I like Sydney.
“It will be a nice day.”
CommBank Stadium was reportedly considered for the fight. We’d also certainly throw our support around Allianz Stadium as a venue for Israel Adesanya’s next fight… or any, for that matter.
How to get tickets to Israel Adesanya’s next fight
UFC293 will be the first UFC event in Sydney since 2017 and will serve as part of a multi-year deal that will see Sydney host three pay-per-view events between now and 2027.
Considering UFC284 in Perth earlier this year was an instant sell-out, you’re going to want to get tickets early if you’re planning on seeing Adesanya fight later this year. Go here for updates on how to land a seat.
Tickets are yet to go on sale but we’ll be sure to update this story when ticketing information is announced. There are reports and murmurs that ticket sales will be extremely competitive. All the more reason to throw this card into a 50-60,000-seat stadium. There are plenty down under that would suit.
When was Israel Adesanya’s last fight?
Israel Adesanya v Alex Pereira, UFC287 | KO, Adesanya, Round 2 | April 8
Adesanya’s last fight was UFC287 back in April, in which he finally managed to avenge his UFC281 loss against long-time rival Alex Pereira.
It was a second round knockout that sent shockwaves through the UFC. There was growing doubt around Adesanya’s credentials against the tough Brazilian.
“I hope some of you can feel this happiness at some point in your life… I hope all of you can feel how f—— happy I am right now… But you never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something… The hunter became the hunted,” Adesanya said after the fight.
“Beating me, he made me a better fighter, a better person. I didn’t f— around.”
Israel Adesanya’s record
26 fights | 24 wins, 2 losses
To date, Adesanya has clocked 24 wins and only two losses to his name.
He has only ever lost to long-time rival Alex Pereira and Jan Blachowicz throughout his career; both in title fights.
Adesanya holds the UFC Middleweight title.
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