Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out about how promotion head Dana White talked him out of taking the fight with Sean Strickland, who took his title two years ago.
Israel Adesanya for MMA Fighting
I was like, 'No, I have to fight in Sydney. I have to fight. I haven't fought on this side of the world in so long. And then Dana was like, 'Listen, kid. You've got enough money. Just chill out for a little while.' So I was like, “Nah. I went all stubborn, and then in hindsight I'm like maybe Dana was right. Maybe I should have just chilled.
The fight between Adesanya and Strickland took place at UFC 293 in September 2023. In this fight, which lasted the full distance, Israel was defeated by unanimous decision and lost the UFC middleweight championship belt. He has 24 wins and five losses to his name in mixed martial arts.
