Henry Cejudo & Israel Adesanya Make Amends as Ex-UFC Champ Issues Apology for ‘Hating’ on ‘Stylebender’

“Love your haters, they are your biggest fans,” Kanye West once said. Though the quote remains timeless, the focus here isn’t on the rapper. We are concerned with the world of MMA, and it is safe to say that this sentiment holds immense value. Take, for example, the bad blood between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor. Their unforgettable war at UFC 229 continues to echo in fans’ minds. And even 7 years later, they seem to live rent-free in each other’s heads. A similar ongoing feud exists between UFC legends Israel Adesanya and Henry Cejudo.

Despite their stark differences in size and weight class, a long-standing rivalry has existed between the two. ‘Triple C’ once criticized Adesanya, accusing him of “hype without delivery,” while Izzy shot back, calling the bantamweight legend a “little fu—-g b—h.” Over the years, their feud has only escalated, but recent events have added a new twist. Henry Cejudo made his comeback to the UFC in 2023 after a three-year hiatus, signing a four-fight contract following his temporary retirement. However, he’s currently 0-3 in his recent bouts.

Meanwhile, Izzy has been on a difficult stretch since late 2023, suffering an unprecedented three-fight losing streak. And recently, the two crossed paths on the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman, where Cejudo took the opportunity to apologize for his past comments. “I wanna say thanks, man. I hated on you like you wouldn’t believe,” Cejudo admitted. “…But because haters are your biggest fans, dude, and you’ve done what you’ve done without being a wrestler—to me, that’s impressive.”

Playfully, Adesanya responded, “I can wrestle, right?” To which the Arizonian confirmed but emphasized his respect for the Nigerian-Kiwi’s kickboxing background. He explained, “Yeah, of course… What I’m saying is, coming from a wrestling background, bro, 85% of all champions come from that sport. What you’ve been able to do—congratulations, dude.”

As for Cejudo, he’s approaching his final fight with the UFC before he retires from the sport. He confirmed this decision during a meeting with Donald Trump last month at the NCAA finals inside the Wells Fargo Arena. In contrast, Israel Adesanya, who is 35, isn’t ready to call it quits just yet. Instead, he’s determined to bounce back after his recent losses.

Moreover, witnessing his countryman and close friend, Alexander Volkanovski, reclaim the featherweight title at UFC 314 by defeating the younger Diego Lopes boosted his confidence. The Yoruba acknowledged the impact of Volkanovski’s victory, saying, “I am inspired… I am very inspired.” Now, fueled by the success of ‘The Great,’ Adesanya is determined to make his comeback and get back into title contention. The question remains, who’s next for The Last Stylebender? Let’s find out.

Who is next for Israel Adesanya?

In less than a decade of competition, Israel Adesanya has claimed victories over major names like Yoel Romero, Robert Whittaker, Alex Pereira, and Derek Brunson, solidifying his place in the MMA elite and earning the “Anderson Silva status.” However, recent years have seen a shift in fortunes for the former middleweight champion. Izzy has suffered three consecutive losses to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov. In these bouts, his opponents successfully defended against him with a decision, submission, and knockout, prompting many to question if Adesanya’s downfall has truly arrived.

Kamaru Usman, reflecting on the path that Anderson Silva once traveled, shared his thoughts on Adesanya’s future during a conversation with Cejudo earlier this year. Usman noted, “He’s at a point in his career where, remember, Anderson Silva got to this place where he started picking fun fights. Izzy showed that he can still fight; he was sharp. I think right now, Izzy should take his time and come back at the end of the year.”

Recently, Adesanya revealed his plans for a future fight. Speaking on a YouTube channel, he revealed that a rematch with Sean Strickland was on his radar. “I have a feeling who I want to fight. You’ll like this one: I gotta get some get-back. Strickland. I’m gonna get him back,” he said, referring to their first meeting at UFC 293 in 2023.

With so many potential opponents to choose from, who do you think should be next for Israel Adesanya? Given their similar career trajectories, does Strickland still make the most sense, or is there someone else who should be in line for a showdown? Share your thoughts below!