UFC Rumors: Dana White’s Plan for Israel Adesanya Revealed by UFC Middleweight Star Ciao Borralho

UFC middleweight Caio Borralho has just dropped major news by revealing that he is inching closer to fighting against Israel Adesanya. The 31-year-old has set his sights on being the number 1 contender for the belt, and for that, he’ll have to fight the biggest fish in the sea. But now that Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are possibly planning to face one another, the Dana White’s Contender Series alum wants to go one-on-one against ‘The Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya.

However, it isn’t just him who wants this fight to happen, as Borralho has hinted that even Dana White and his promotion might have this plan in their mind. In an interview with @mikebohnmma, on the occasion of UFC 308, Caio Borralho spoke with MMA Junkie and revealed that he is in negotiations to face the former 185-pound champion at UFC 312. He also admitted that he wants the fight to have five rounds to go all-out against Israel Adesanya.

Borralho said, “I want to fight Izzy. We are in talks with UFC, but nothing confirmed yet. But that’s the fight we want. I think that’s the fight that makes sense. Adesanya already fought all the guys from top five. Just me and (Nassourdine) Imavov didn’t fight, but Imavov didn’t (have) a good fight last time, so I think they’re thinking about me. Let’s see what the UFC wants.”

Borralho, undefeated in the octagon with a 6-0 record, climbed into the top 5 of the division with a spectacular victory on the scorecards over Jared Cannonier, former title challenger, in the main event of UFC Vegas 96. Israel Adesanya, on the other hand, is coming off a fifth-round submission by Dricus du Plessis during their main event at UFC 305. And after the fight, Adesanya went on an indefinite hiatus.

Regardless, now he is all set to be an active fighter again and wants to make an immediate return. However, ‘Izzy’ has yet to have an opponent, so it makes sense for Borralho to drop his name in this MMA goblet of fire. While the UFC has yet to drop any news regarding the same, for many, UFC 312 in Sydney makes the most sense as the venue. But will ‘Izzy’ want to fight Caio Borralho, or does Adesanya have any other opponent in mind?

Israel Adesanya wants revenge against Sean Strickland

With the title at stake or not, Israel Adesanya wants to set the record straight with Sean Strickland. Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) shockingly lost his middleweight belt to Strickland in 2023 and has not been able to face him since. When the former champion had the chance to win his title in August, it was against Dricus Du Plessis, as he had snatched the belt from Strickland months earlier.

Well, looking to keep fighting after his failed attempt to regain the title, Israel Adesanya wants to get his hands on Strickland before all is said and done. He said, “Strickland, definitely. That fight was not me. Again, I don’t make excuses… Dave Chappelle said something like, ‘When it’s your time, you have to know and be humble enough when it’s someone else’s.’ That was just his week, and his, and everything. So it’s his time. Let him have it, but I definitely know what I can do.” 

He further added, “I took his best shots, and I just know I can take this guy. I know what I can do. Not similar to the Pereira one where I was winning, but this one, I definitely know what I can do with this guy.” Adesanya is convinced that his best version surpasses the best version of Strickland. But it wasn’t up to the task when they met in 2023. So far, Strickland has not yet been officially scheduled for a fight, but he is expected to face Du Plessis next. Depending on the outcome, the potential rematch with Strickland could be very close or very far away for Adesanya.

What do you think? Who is your pick for Israel Adesanya’s next fight? Let us know in the comments.