Sources of Motivation in Combat Sports
Combat sports athletes often derive their motivation from various experiences in their lives, particularly childhood adversities such as bullying and the need to survive. One such fighter, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, overcame a past of bullying to carve out an impressive career in the sport.
Adesanya’s Plans for a Comeback
In a recent YouTube video, Adesanya shared insights into his training regimen alongside retired US Navy SEAL David Goggins. During their session, he hinted at the name of a potential opponent for his comeback bout.
Recent Struggles in the Octagon
Despite an illustrious career, Adesanya’s recent performances in the Octagon have been disappointing, marked by a streak of losses. With an MMA record of 24-5-0, his first loss came from Jan Blachowicz. Although he managed to reclaim his title against Marvin Vettori and defended it twice, he lost it to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Adesanya regained the title in a rematch with Pereira, but subsequently lost to Sean Strickland, resulting in multiple consecutive defeats.
Desire for Rematch with Strickland
Following his fight with Strickland at UFC 293, where he was defeated unanimously, Adesanya has expressed a strong desire for redemption. Strickland has been vocal in the media, taunting Adesanya, which has fueled the latter’s motivation to reclaim his standing in the sport.
Adesanya Reflects on His Mindset
In the YouTube video, Adesanya discussed how the recent losses affected him mentally, stating, “I didn’t spar after my last fight… I knew once I sparred, I would want to fight.” He then revealed, “I told Hunter [Campbell] and my coach, I know who I want to fight. You’ll like this one: Sean Strickland.” This desire for a rematch is partly due to the psychological weight of Strickland’s post-fight trash-talking, which Adesanya likens to the bullying he faced in his youth.
Looking to the Future
Adesanya acknowledged Strickland’s victory and gave him credit but also expressed a wish to confront him again, hoping to demonstrate his growth as a fighter. “He beat me fair and square… I just want to show him how I can correct things,” Adesanya said. The situation has led him to introspect about past bullying experiences while motivating him to protect his inner child.
Anticipation for the Comeback Fight
Although there has been no official announcement regarding a rematch between Adesanya and Strickland, the champion’s remarks have stirred excitement within the MMA community. As both fighters look ahead, fans remain eager for a potential showdown, especially after Strickland’s recent loss to Dricus Du Plessis, highlighting the evolving landscape of the middleweight division.
