UFC: Israel Adesanya hopes to know next opponent within a week

By Christopher Reive

NZ Herald·

27 Apr, 2018 08:00 AM3 mins to read

Israel Adesanya expects to return to the octagon sooner rather than later. Photo / Getty Images

Ever since he signed his UFC contract, Israel Adesanya has said he wanted to remain active.

And he's getting his wish. After beating Italian Marvin Vettori in Arizona earlier this month, Adesanya told the Herald he was hoping find out who his next opponent would be within the next week.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi holds a 2-0 record since joining the UFC, and a 13-0 record in his MMA career. After toppling Vettori by split decision last time out, he wanted to further test himself against one of the company's best.

"I pitched an idea of what I want to do with the company, to them. They're happy with it, but they're trying to find an opponent right now," Adesanya said.

"I want to fight ASAP. I let them now I want to fight, and I let them know a range of opponents I want to fight."

If Adesanya gets his way, his next opponent could be a ranked one. After beating Vettori, Adesanya called out No.10 ranked middleweight Brad Tavares, who fought on the same card.

Tavares told The MMA Hour that he was offered the fight by the UFC and, although he was eyeing a higher ranked opponent, it was a bout he wasn't opposed to taking.

Tavares, who holds a 12-4 record across his eight-year UFC career, has won his past four bouts, with his last loss being against current middleweight title holder Robert Whittaker. The 30-year-old Hawaiian called out No.6 ranked Michael Bisping in after winning his bout in Arizona.

Both Adesanya and Tavares won their bouts in Arizona, however Tavares was able to get the stoppage.

Adesanya, despite getting the win on the night, said he wasn't happy with his performance. Vettori was able to get him onto his back and a number of comments were made about the Kiwi looking like a fish out of water on the canvas.

However, he said that wasn't the case – he was just relaxed.

"There was some honest criticism in there, and I can accept that," Adesanya said. "But I had his left side taken care of and I was waiting for him to posture up so I could work my sequence.