Israel Adesanya provides shock update about UFC return

Less than two months after his last outing, Israel Adesanya has given fans an update on when they can expect him back in the cage.

Heading into his grudge match against Dricus Du Plessis earlier this year, retirement talk surrounded ‘The Last Stylebender’. Many fans anticipated Adesanya to lay down the gloves after losing to the South African, but that wasn’t the case.

Instead, Israel Adesanya is determined to run it back with Du Plessis in the future — though he has other plans at this time.

“Yeah, of course [I want a rematch with Du Plessis] but that’ll come later on,” Adesanya said during an appearance on The Adam Carolla Show. “Right now, after I just fought him, I don’t think it’s going to be immediately.”

“I’d rather just fight. Not fight for the belt, but fight for fighting sake.”

The combat sports icon later revealed that his ideal return would take place in the very near future.

“Even though I don’t have the belt, they’ve still got my name in their mouth. I’m still Israel Adesanya.”

“For me, again, I’ll let them call me out or whatever. At the moment, I want to fight one more time before the end of this year, or early next year.”

“But, I don’t know yet. I’m just training, building off what we left off and I’ll get the call at some point with a few options. I’m sure Dana [White] will hit me up at some point.”

Watch the full Israel Adesanya interview below.

Related: Israel Adesanya pressing charges following road rage incident

Despite suffering defeat in three of his last four fights, Israel Adesanya remains one of the biggest stars in the sport.

Many contenders are desperate to book a fight with the kickboxing phenom, as super-fight rumors begin to circulate.

While his return is unknown, Adesanya is likely at a place in his career where one impressive win will earn him another crack at UFC gold.