Israel Adesanya may very well be heading again to the Octagon prior to anticipated, and he could have already got a brand new opponent lined up. Regardless of struggling 4 consecutive losses and making a significant change to his teaching setup earlier this yr, the previous two-time UFC middleweight champion seems to be transferring towards his subsequent struggle.
Adesanya revealed in July that he was leaving longtime coach Eugene Bareman and Metropolis Kickboxing. The choice got here throughout a troublesome interval in his profession, however the Nigerian-born New Zealander has proven no intention of calling it quits simply but.
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Now, a possible matchup with Shara Magomedov may very well be on the horizon. Studies counsel the UFC is planning to guide the 2 middleweights for the principle occasion of its upcoming Saudi Arabia card.
Israel Adesanya Appears to be like to Snap 4-Struggle Shedding Streak in Subsequent UFC Look
Veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani just lately reported on The Ariel Helwani Present that Adesanya is anticipated to face Magomedov in the principle occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5, 2026. Nevertheless, the UFC has but to formally verify both the matchup or the occasion date.
There may be room on the promotion’s calendar for the rumored card. UFC Qatar is scheduled for November 21, whereas UFC 335 is ready to happen on December 12, leaving December 5 as a potential date for the Saudi Arabia occasion.
Earlier than Helwani’s report surfaced, veteran reporter Kevin Ok additionally instructed on X that Adesanya would headline the cardboard, though he pointed to November 28 as a possible date. With conflicting dates circulating, followers must watch for the UFC to make issues official.
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For Adesanya, this may very well be a vital struggle as he makes an attempt to cease the slide that has seen him lose 4 straight bouts. His most up-to-date defeat got here at UFC Seattle, the place Joe Pyfer overwhelmed him with ground-and-pound earlier than securing a second-round stoppage at Local weather Pledge Area.
One other loss would increase additional questions on Adesanya’s future among the many division’s elite. Nevertheless, a robust efficiency towards Magomedov may assist the previous champion regain some momentum and remind followers what he can nonetheless do contained in the Octagon.
Magomedov, in the meantime, has already made his curiosity within the matchup clear. Identified to followers as “Shara Bullet,” the Russian referred to as out Adesanya after beating Michel Pereira at UFC Baku in June.
That victory prolonged Magomedov’s UFC file to 6 wins and marked his second consecutive victory. His greatest check got here towards Michael Web page, who handed him a convincing defeat, however the Russian has since bounced again with wins over Marc-Andre Barriault and Pereira.
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A struggle towards Adesanya would give Magomedov a significant alternative to show himself towards one of the crucial recognizable names within the sport. For the previous champion, it could be an opportunity to silence the doubters and get his profession again on monitor.
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