Adesanya wants back in after Volkanovski's UFC 333 win; Dec. 5 Riyadh bout in doubt

MMA-TV Newsroom Summarized with AI Today at 4:02 AM AI checked Today at 9:20 AM

The bottom line

Adesanya, winless in three years, is itching to fight after Volkanovski's UFC 333 finish; he is reportedly set to face Shara Magomedov in Riyadh Dec. 5, but regional conflict clouds it.

From 3 reports by 3 outlets

Adesanya wants back in after Volkanovski's UFC 333 win; Dec. 5 Riyadh bout in doubt — Photo via La Sueur · added Today at 8:53 AM

What we know

Adesanya has lost four straight fights since knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023.
Adesanya has recently left his Auckland gym and trained with Volkanovski's team in Sydney.
Volkanovski retained the UFC featherweight title and handed Evloev his first professional loss.

Reported, not confirmed

Adesanya is reportedly set to headline UFC Saudi Arabia against Shara Magomedov in Riyadh on Dec. 5; the UFC has not confirmed it. Bloody Elbow
Missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, some targeting Riyadh's international airport, put the Dec. 5 date and venue in doubt. Bloody Elbow

Israel Adesanya has not won in three years, 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 Volkanovski a legend and said the finish came earlier than he expected, having figured it would go to round four.

The clip ended with a plea rather than a prediction. Watching a replay of the champion celebrating, Adesanya said: "I can't wait. Let me bang, bro."

The motivation is easy to understand. Adesanya, 37, has lost four straight fights since he knocked out Alex Pereira in April 2023. He has recently left his gym in Auckland and been seen training with Volkanovski's team in Sydney. The two have shared sessions before at City Kickboxing, the team Volkanovski fights for. Volkanovski, 38, kept his featherweight title with the stoppage, which also 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 in Riyadh on Dec. 5. The bout has not been officially confirmed, and La Sueur likewise says the date and venue still need confirmation.

The date is not secure. Saudi Arabia has been hit by a number of missile and drone attacks in recent weeks, and some of them targeted Riyadh's international airport. Plans for the main event could fall apart because of the conflict in the region.

Watch for an official announcement from the UFC on 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 another venue.

Summary: Adesanya, winless in three years, is itching to fight after Volkanovski's UFC 333 finish; he is reportedly set to face Shara Magomedov in Riyadh Dec. 5, but regional conflict clouds it.

Key points (one per line): Adesanya reacted on YouTube to Volkanovski's round-two TKO of Evloev at UFC 333: "Let me bang, bro."
He is reportedly booked to headline UFC Saudi Arabia against Shara Magomedov in Riyadh on Dec. 5.
Missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, some aimed at Riyadh's airport, put the date in doubt.