MMA news: What’s next for Israel Adesanya?

Israel Adesanya, one of the biggest MMA names is nearing the end of his career.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher reflects on the fighter’s recent words and previews potential matchups that could prolong Adesanya’s career.

The face of the UFC

Following Adesanya’s second-round stoppage loss to Nassourdine Imavov on Saturday, the former two-time middleweight champion’s days competing for titles seem to be in the rearview mirror.

At 35 years of age and a record of 1-4 in his last five fights, the sport's history suggests that this downward trajectory will be almost impossible to overcome as Adesanya seeks to regain the momentum he once had.

With money in the bank, a hall-of-fame legacy assured and multiple years as the face of the UFC, anyone would find it hard to come again and attempt to reach the top of the middleweight division for a third time.

‘I don’t know what’s next’

Adesanya’s future as of now is currently up in the air. Speaking after his fight on Saturday in an interview on the ESPN MMA YouTube channel, Adesanya said:

“I don’t know (what’s next) I’ll have to chill and then think about things. I’ll relax first for a little bit, just help the teammates who have fights coming up and yeah, see what I want to do.

“I was going to do that anyway but now I’m forced to shout out to Nassourdine for that.”

The landscape of the middleweight division today is completely different to the one that Adesanya conquered in 2019.

But if ‘The Last Stylebender’ still wishes to compete in the future, there are some interesting matchups that could be on the horizon.

MORE BY NIALL TOGHER: MMA news: Sean Strickland scolds Khamzat Chimaev and targets him for first title defence

Sean Strickland rematch

A rematch with the man who arguably began his downfall would be a motivating fight for Adesanya at this point in his career.

Sean Strickland caused one of the biggest upsets in UFC championship history when he dropped Adesanya in the first round before winning a clear unanimous decision to end Adesanya’s second reign as champion.

Following the biggest win of his career in the rematch against Alex Pereira, Adesanya looked destined to go on another lengthy title reign, but Strickland shook up the world as he stepped in on short notice and defeated the all-time great.

These two evidently dislike each other as can be seen in their press conference interactions with each other in the build-up to their first fight.

The Nigeria-New Zealander has stated previously that he would like to get that fight back with Strickland.

A grudge match could be exactly what he needs to rekindle the fire at this stage of his career after he perhaps underestimated Strickland before their first fight.

If Strickland loses his upcoming rematch at UFC 312 against Dricus Du Plessis, it will be unlikely that he will challenge for the belt with Du Plessis as champion after losing twice to the South African.

This could set up a rematch between Adesanya and the American as a good opportunity for Strickland to get back into title contention and for Adesanya to attempt to avenge the defeat that arguably stings the most in his MMA career.

Bo Nickal

Adesanya’s next fight could likely be a step down in the rankings due to him being on a three-fight skid.

However, most of the current names outside of the top five have either been beaten by Adesanya previously or do not possess a name big enough to make a marketable matchup.

Here’s where Bo Nickal comes in.

Having just been promoted into the top 15 of the division, the undefeated prospect Nickal is touted to be one of the biggest rising stars in MMA.

With one more win, Nickal could move into the top ten of the division and set up the biggest match-up of his career.

This would be the perfect ‘passing of the torch’ type of match-up that we frequently see in combat sports where the established legend meets the division's shiny new toy.

Nickal’s wrestling would pose a threat to Adesanya but equally so would Adesanya’s striking to Nickal.

Both men specialise in the area that is the other man’s weakness on paper.

It is a chance for Adesanya to take the American’s undefeated record and hype - the type of challenge that the 35-year-old may relish.

This fight could easily headline a fight night event or be a feature fight on a big UFC pay-per-view in 2025.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Six Nations news: Ranking each country’s supporters and stadium

Retirement

The last and perhaps most likely scenario would be for Adesanya to hang up the gloves and ride off into the sunset.

Against Imavov and Du Plessis, Adesanya proved he can still be competitive with the top of the division and even win rounds but ultimately, he was finished in both contests.

The Nigerian-Kiwi still looks very capable of picking up wins against top-ten-ranked opponents and perhaps this would be a good time to retire.

So often we see legends of the game shoehorned onto the prelims of fight cards and physically unable to compete as well as they did in their prime.

If he leaves the game now, his only defeats will either be to champions or top-ranked fighters in a weight class - and he had rounds of success in every loss he has had.

If this is the end for Adesanya, what a ride it has been!

READ NEXT: NBA news: An in-depth look at the blockbuster Luka Doncic–Anthony Davis trade