Israel Adesanya Eyes UFC Return While Backing Ngannou Against Wilder
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is keeping his focus sharp as he prepares for his return to the octagon against Nassourdine Imavov. At the same time, he’s showing confidence in Francis Ngannou’s chances if a boxing showdown with Deontay Wilder becomes a reality.
Talks of a heavyweight clash between Ngannou, who recently secured the PFL heavyweight title, and Wilder, who is set to make his boxing return against Curtis Harper in April, have been circulating for months. While nothing has been confirmed, the matchup continues to generate excitement.
Speaking in an interview with Stake, Adesanya praised Ngannou’s rapid rise in boxing, highlighting the former UFC heavyweight champion’s ability to compete at the highest level despite limited experience.
“People might underestimate Wilder in this social media era, but he has one of the most devastating finishing rates in heavyweight history. On the other hand, Francis has proven himself after just two fights. If this fight happens, it’ll be explosive,” Adesanya shared.
As he gears up for his highly anticipated fight against Imavov in Saudi Arabia next month, Adesanya also weighed in on Wilder’s mindset.
“I believe Francis has what it takes to win, but a lot depends on where Deontay’s head is at. In one of his recent interviews, he talked about exploring personal growth through things like Ayahuasca, so we’ll have to see where he stands mentally,” he added.
At 35, Adesanya is looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Dricus du Plessis in August 2024. His upcoming fight marks his first non-title bout since facing Anderson Silva in 2019, making it a crucial step in his journey back to the top.
Headlining the UFC’s first-ever event in Saudi Arabia, this fight is a major opportunity for Adesanya to add another win to his record, which currently stands at 24 victories, with 16 coming by knockout.
Looking ahead to the upcoming middleweight title fight between Du Plessis and Sean Strickland, Adesanya shared his thoughts on the matchup.
“I think Dricus has the advantage. He’s a solid fighter and knows how to execute his game plan. He’s already beaten Strickland before, and I expect him to do it again—this time with a more decisive win,” he predicted.
With Adesanya’s return to the octagon just around the corner and the heavyweight boxing world buzzing about a possible Ngannou-Wilder showdown, fight fans have plenty to look forward to in 2025.