'UFC Monster' Adesanya, Long Term Vacation → Finally Confirmed to Return "Did You Suspect Me? You'll regret it..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (36) will return to Octagon for the first time in a year and a month. After the longest hiatus since debuting as a professional fighter in 2010, he is looking for a revival.

UFC middleweight No. 4 Adesanya will face No. 14 Joe Piper (29) at the UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Piper Main Event held at Climot Pleasure Arena in Seattle, Washington on the 29th (Korea Standard Time).

Adesanya (24 wins and five losses), who reigned for 1,289 days with eight wins in middleweight titles, is dreaming of a perfect return.

Adesanya has lost a middleweight title to Sean Strickland in 2023, marking a three-game losing streak. Adeshana, who has been mired in her first losing streak since her professional debut, said, "I hope people regret doubting Adesanya after this weekend's game. That's the story I'm going to write this time," he said, strengthening his will to win.

Joe Piper (15-3) is 6-1 since signing with UFC through Dana White's Contender Series (DWCS) in 2022. Five of the six wins are finish wins. After three consecutive wins, he lost to veteran Jack Hermanson, but has since won three consecutive games and is drawing attention.

Ahead of the match against former champion Adesanya, Piper said, "Adesanya is the greatest player in middleweight history," adding, "It's a great privilege to say that I competed against the best player in the world while doing this. This opportunity is an honor," he said.

Regarding the recent losing streak, he warned, "Adesanya only lost to No. 1 Driquis du Plessy, No. 2 Nasurdin Imabov, and No. 3 Strickland," adding, "I still think he is one of the best players."

"I want to play a clean game," Adesanya said of the showdown with Piper, adding, "Piper's fist will cut through the air. The most threatening part of Piper in a batting battle is his quick punch. I studied his punch and grappling tendencies a lot," he said, expressing confidence.

"Adesanya's career and experience is great, but I'm a destroyer and a bulldozer," Piper said. "I'll focus on what makes me great and what makes me who I am."

"If I go inside the octagon, I will show a violent appearance," he said, vowing to "put pressure on Adesanya to take away his space."

At the comain event, former UFC women's flyweight champion and current No. 3 Alexa Graso (32) and No. 5 Macy Barber (27) will have a rematch. Graso (16 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses) won the 2021 "UFC 258" by showing off a high-level hit against Barber (15 wins and 2 losses).

"We've both improved a lot," Graso said. "I'm looking forward to facing the new Barber once again." Barber said, "If I beat former champion Graso and recorded eight consecutive wins, I will no longer be able to deny my qualifications," adding, "It's a perfect opportunity to demand the right to challenge for the title."

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*This content was translated by AI.