UFC 305: The blockbuster rematch Israel Adesanya could land with a win on Sunday

A win on Sunday will have Israel Adesanya fast-tracked to a massive rematch with Sean Strickland, but where does that leave Rob Whittaker?

Israel Adesanya is seeking to become the only three-time middleweight champion in UFC history. Picture: Will Russell/Zuffa LLC

A middleweight title fight victory for Israel Adesanya this weekend could set up a Sydney rematch with Sean Strickland early next year.

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Strickland will face the winner of this Sunday’s UFC 305 main event between Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis.

There’s heavy speculation the UFC is returning to Sydney in February 2025, and a rematch of Adesanya’s stunning decision defeat to Strickland in the Harbour City last September would be a perfect main event.

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‘Stylebender’ was the unbackable favourite going into his first fight with Strickland, but was battling injuries after an unprecedented 16 fights in five years.

“I faked the funk that week,” Adesanya admitted to this masthead. “I didn’t have my right hand as sharp as it could’ve been.

“I wasn’t able to land my right hand the way I’m able to, there are things I could’ve done better, but I know what I can do. I know my skillset. But no excuses, it wasn’t my time, wasn’t my week.

“But, I’m humble enough to pull back.”

Adesanya lost a unanimous decision to Sean Strickland in Sydney last year. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

And Adesanya pulled right back.

To the point where he barely trained for two or three months.

“I took time off to grow,” he said. “People didn’t see me for months because I didn’t want to be involved in the game – like, at all.

“I wanted to remove myself completely. I was healing from some stuff, I did some procedures on my body and I had to heal some things…life happens, bro.

“I go through ups and downs, but I just didn’t want to be in the gym, didn’t want to train.

“I just ate, chilled and tried to get fat. I couldn’t, but I tried.”

The time off helped his hunger to compete return, and Adesanya returns bigger, stronger and sharper.

“I think you guys will see the best me you’ve seen yet,” he said. “I’m the biggest I’ve ever been, I’m the most muscular I’ve ever been.

“I feel faster. I’m just really sharp, so it’s been good to refresh and reset myself.”

Adesanya stepped away from the sport for a few months. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Adesanya is solely focused on this weekend’s long-awaited grudge match with Du Plessis and wouldn’t be drawn on a potential rematch with Strickland or a return to Sydney.

If Strickland does get the next title shot, Sydney’s Rob Whittaker will be left out in the cold.

Whittaker fights the dangerous Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi in October. The pair were originally scheduled to meet in a number one contender fight in June, before Chimaev pulled out through illness.

Whittaker stopped late-notice opponent Ikram Aliskerov in under two minutes instead, but asked the UFC to book the Chimaev fight again.

Rob Whittaker fight Khamzat Chimaev in October. Picture: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“I like the fact that Rob asked for that fight with not really much to gain,” Adesanya said.

“I know how good Whittaker is, and he seemed like he’s revamped himself as well. He took some time off, got the hunger and came back with a vengeance.

“But, I swear, I haven’t thought about that. I’m just focused on DDP and this weekend.”

Current middleweight champion du Plessis says he hopes Whittaker beats Chimaev, and wouldn’t mind fighting the Aussie again if he wins this weekend.

Du Plessis makes the first defence of his middleweight title this weekend. Picture: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

But after edging a disputed decision win over Strickland to win the title in January, he has unfinished business with the American.

“Whittaker’s done so much, he’s always been the guy and he’s been active and ready, and I wouldn’t have any problem fighting him again,” he told this masthead.

“But in my mind, it makes all the sense in the world to have Rob and Strickland fight. Then you have a clear contender.

“The fight with Rob, I was very dominant. The fight with Strickland, I believe I won four rounds out of five, but people are saying he won.

“So that’s a rematch I would like if I had to choose between the two.”

Originally published as UFC 305: The blockbuster rematch Israel Adesanya could land with a win on Sunday