Adesanya says he is itching to fight again after Volkanovski's UFC 333 finish; a Dec. 5 Riyadh bout with Shara Magomedov is rumored, not announced, and clouded by regional conflict.
From 5 reports by 4 outlets
What we know
- Adesanya has lost four straight fights since knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023.
- Adesanya has recently left his gym in Auckland and has been training with Volkanovski's team in Sydney.
Reported, not confirmed
-
Adesanya v Shara Magomedov is rumored as the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 in Riyadh; the UFC has not announced it.
Bloody Elbow
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Dana White did not confirm Adesanya v Magomedov when asked at the UFC 333 press conference, saying only that the Saudi event is happening.
Combat Sports UK
-
Missile and drone attacks have hit Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, some targeting Riyadh's international airport, which could derail the Dec. 5 plans.
Bloody Elbow
Israel Adesanya has not won since April 2023, and watching a training partner finish a title fight has made him impatient. He watched Alexander Volkanovski stop Movsar Evloev in round two at UFC 333 from home, then posted a reaction video on his YouTube channel. He called the champion a legend and said the finish came earlier than he expected; he had figured on round four.
The clip ended with a plea rather than a prediction. Watching a replay of Volkanovski celebrating, Adesanya said he could not wait and asked to be let loose. Combat Sports UK adds that he praised how Volkanovski beat Evloev at his own grappling game, then cut off the escape and hunted him down. Near the end he said the fight made him want to work and that he looked forward to "working soon". He named no opponent, date or venue.
The motivation is easy to understand. Adesanya, 37, has lost four straight since he knocked out Alex Pereira in April 2023, a run that has left him at 24-6 according to La Sueur. He has recently left his gym in Auckland and has been seen training with Volkanovski's team in Sydney, after earlier sessions together at City Kickboxing. Volkanovski, 38, kept his featherweight title and handed Evloev his first professional loss.
Adesanya's next fight is reportedly already lined up. According to Bloody Elbow and Yardbarker MMA, he is set to headline UFC Saudi Arabia against Shara Magomedov, who is 17-1 according to La Sueur. At the post-fight press conference a reporter from Saudi MMA put the rumor to Dana White, who gave no details and did not confirm the fight, saying only "It's coming, it's happening," according to Combat Sports UK. The UFC has not announced the bout.
The date is not secure. Saudi Arabia has been hit by a number of missile and drone attacks in recent weeks, some of which targeted Riyadh's international airport. Plans for the main event could fall apart because of the conflict in the region.
Watch for an official UFC announcement of the card, its location and its date. If Riyadh proves unworkable, Adesanya's chance to end the losing run could move to another date or venue.
The clip ended with a plea rather than a prediction. Watching a replay of Volkanovski celebrating, Adesanya said he could not wait and asked to be let loose. Combat Sports UK adds that he praised how Volkanovski beat Evloev at his own grappling game, then cut off the escape and hunted him down. Near the end he said the fight made him want to work and that he looked forward to "working soon". He named no opponent, date or venue.
The motivation is easy to understand. Adesanya, 37, has lost four straight since he knocked out Alex Pereira in April 2023, a run that has left him at 24-6 according to La Sueur. He has recently left his gym in Auckland and has been seen training with Volkanovski's team in Sydney, after earlier sessions together at City Kickboxing. Volkanovski, 38, kept his featherweight title and handed Evloev his first professional loss.
Adesanya's next fight is reportedly already lined up. According to Bloody Elbow and Yardbarker MMA, he is set to headline UFC Saudi Arabia against Shara Magomedov, who is 17-1 according to La Sueur. At the post-fight press conference a reporter from Saudi MMA put the rumor to Dana White, who gave no details and did not confirm the fight, saying only "It's coming, it's happening," according to Combat Sports UK. The UFC has not announced the bout.
The date is not secure. Saudi Arabia has been hit by a number of missile and drone attacks in recent weeks, some of which targeted Riyadh's international airport. Plans for the main event could fall apart because of the conflict in the region.
Watch for an official UFC announcement of the card, its location and its date. If Riyadh proves unworkable, Adesanya's chance to end the losing run could move to another date or venue.
- Summary
- Adesanya says he is itching to fight again after Volkanovski's UFC 333 finish; a Dec. 5 Riyadh bout with Shara Magomedov is rumored, not announced, and clouded by regional conflict.
- Key points (one per line)
- Adesanya, winless since April 2023, said 'Just let me bang, bro' in a YouTube reaction video to UFC 333.
Adesanya v Shara Magomedov for UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5 is rumored; Dana White did not confirm it.
Missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, some aimed at Riyadh's airport, put the date in doubt.
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- Bloody Elbow | https://bloodyelbow.com/2026/10/26/israel-adesanya-gets-motivation-from-alexander-volkanovskis-ufc-333-win-just-let-me-bang/
Yardbarker MMA | https://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/israel_adesanya_gets_motivation_from_alexander_volkanovskis_ufc_333_win_just_let_me_bang/s1_17651_44474039
La Sueur | https://lasueur.com/israel-adesanya-reagit-a-la-masterclass-de-son-ami-alex-volkanovski-26-10-2026
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/1fa47975-e818-48c6-8f65-bca9a97eddba/israel-adesanya-volkanovski-shows-why-hes-the-greatest-evloev-finish-ufc-333
Combat Sports UK | https://combatsportsuk.com/news/1c2ae37a-811b-404c-a996-28e115e235ec/israel-adesanya-just-let-me-bang-bro-hints-at-ufc-return-after-ufc-333
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Results
Main card
- Alexander Volkanovski vs Movsar Evloev Alexander Volkanovski wins · TKO (strikes), R2 4:54 Featherweight title fight
-
Petr Yan
vs
Merab Dvalishvili
Petr Yan wins · unanimous decision, R5
Bantamweight
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Fighters in this story
Israel Adesanya
Alexander Volkanovski
Movsar Evloev
Petr Yan
Merab Dvalishvili
Alex PereiraMore photos
Sources
Yardbarker MMA
La SueurSummarized with AI from the sources above. Read the originals for the full story.
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