Adesanya’s Rival Challenges His Theory: ‘The UFC Belt Chases Me’

‘If I lose it wouldn’t affect my legacy’ | 01:23

Israel Adesanya says he still carries “a f***ing target on my back” in his new role as UFC title challenger, and will earn another middleweight title shot because “I’ve never chased that belt, it chases me”.

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However, that last statement has been shot down by new division king Dricus du Plessis, who now insists the title he is himself set to defend in an Australian blockbuster on Sunday week “isn’t running to him”.

Speaking with Fox Sports Australia in separate interviews this week, both Adesanya and DDP were split on exactly how the division plays out in 2025.

After a storied run of 12 straight championship appearances, 35-year-old Adesanya is now fighting to get back into the title mix in Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Fight Night event against Nassourdine Imavov.

Apart from being the first time in over six years the New Zealander hasn’t been on a UFC Pay-Per-View, the bout also doubles as the superstar’s first time ever coming off two straight losses – having dropped consecutive titles fights against Sean Strickland and then DDP on Australian soil.

Yet speaking from inside camp this week, The Last Stylebender admitted to carrying a new “sense of freedom” without the belt around his waist, while also stressing that other key characteristics about him remain unchanged.

“Because I’m still Israel Adesanya,” the former champ started.

“So there’s always that f…ing target on my back.

“And I still feel like I’m the champ, too.

“But for me now, fighting without a belt on the line, it gives me a sense of freedom that I haven’t felt in a while.”

Pushed on the change, he continued: “Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

“And when you wear it long enough, it can slow you down.

“So I just want to go in there this weekend and have fun.

“Show off, box him up and get my hand raised.”

Asked if said “sense of freedom” would impact his fighting style inside the cage, Adesanya continued: “It already has.

“In my last fight (against du Plessis), I fought differently.

“My output was the highest of any of my UFC fights.

“And my style is always being tweaked a little bit.

“Now too in the time I’ve had off, what I’ve learned, I’ve got some new tricks I want to show off … you’re going to see something new.”

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And as for seeing himself fight for the UFC title again?

“It will come,” Adesanya insisted.

“It always does.

“I’ve never chased that belt, it chases me.

“And it will do the same again.”

However, that last claim does not sit well with Du Plessis, who is now in Sydney readying for another title defence against American Sean Strickland at UFC 312 on Sunday, February 9.

Already, South Africa’s fighting superstar has amassed an undefeated tear of eight straight wins inside the Octagon – with his victims including the likes of Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Derek Brunson and Strickland, who he took the title from at UFC 297.

Asked about Adesanya’s claim that the UFC title belt chases him, the champ shrugged: “He’s used that line before.

“And look, good for him.

“When we fought, the guy was in incredible shape and looked amazing in there.

“Which is just as you’d expect of a guy with his pedigree.

“He’s one of the greatest to ever do it.

“And there’s no denying he can still make a run to the title again.

“He’s only one, maybe two wins away from being right back in the conversation.

“And in this sport, two wins isn’t a lot.

“But the title isn’t running to him.

“It’s with me.

“And I’m holding onto it.”

Elsewhere this week, Adesanya said after testing himself against Imavov, he would then, with a win, like to throw down against somebody like rising Brazilian Caio Borralho.

Late last year, there were suggestions the pair were going to fight on Australia’s upcoming UFC 312 card, with Borralho even going as far as to say the two fighter’s teams were “in talks”.

Yet the bout never materialised.

In his first UFC main event last August, Borralho defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision to remain unbeaten inside the Octagon and continue a 16-fight winning streak overall.

During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show however, Adesanya called out Borralho for a fight after UFC Riyadh.

“Good style, I like his style,” the former champ said.

“Our interactions have been respectful and cordial.

“And it’s just f***ing hands, bro.

“You’re good, I’m good, let’s throw hands and see what’s up.

“No bad blood or nothing, I just want to test myself against these young guys like Nassourdine Imavov.

“I know the answer, but I want to prove it to myself and find out myself.

“So we’re going to find out.”