The UFC world is buzzing as Israel Adesanya prepares for his highly anticipated comeback to the Octagon. The former middleweight champion has been out of action since an unusual three-fight skid, and his return has fans wondering who he will fight next. Two familiar rivals appear to be his primary targets, but for now, it isn’t the fight prep but something else entirely that has left him scarred.

Adesanya’s competitive focus is clear. He told SunSport that he was interested in facing Paulo Costa or running it back with Sean Strickland. He said, “I’m ready to go! …I don’t have to say much [about fighting Costa]. I’d be like, ‘Cool, alright, that sounds fun. [I’d] Give him the chance at redemption like people have done for me as well. And [Sean] Strickland, if he wants to fight, sure.”

This can be some interesting matchups, especially after what happened back in February, as Nassourdine Imavov knocked ‘The Last Stylebender’ out in the second round with some sharp boxing. Thus, he was eliminated from the title picture for the first time in his UFC career. Maybe that’s why, before diving into fight prep, Israel Adesanya took some time to vacation and unwind.

In a recent YouTube video, he discussed one of his “side quests” that left a lasting impression. For his birthday, the 36-year-old went to Tahiti to swim with migrating humpback whales, which he described as a “crazy experience.” He said, “That was a crazy experience — like swimming next to a giant mammal. I remember the first one, my mouth was just in awe, like, what the f—“ But the adventure came with a warning: “That’s why I got this scar. Funny story. Just check before you dive, man. Listen, just look before you dive.”

Well, now that he is back in his good mood, ‘The Last Stylebender’ will be focused on picking the best fight for himself. And right now, Sean Strickland is one of the most marketable opponents he can have. After all, he once defeated Adesanya in 2023 to win the middleweight championship. However, sitting in the division’s top three, ‘Tarzan’ could choose a different path.

Costa, meanwhile, ended a losing drought by defeating Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 and, like Israel Adesanya, is looking for a boost in a packed division. Both fights feature high-profile matchups that would pique fans’ curiosity. The middleweight division is crowded with contenders vying for the title, but Adesanya’s star power guarantees a blockbuster fight when he returns.

Whether it’s a rematch with Strickland, a showdown with Costa, or another famous name, fans can expect ‘The Last Stylebender’ to return to the spotlight, scar and all. But till then, he is out there predicting the outcome of other big-money fights, like the one between Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus du Plessis.

Israel Adesanya drops his predictions for Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Following his own recent failures, Israel Adesanya has switched some of his focus to analyzing other high-stakes middleweight fights. His latest target is the UFC 319 headliner between current champion Dricus du Plessis and the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev, a fight that might shake up the division’s balance.

This could be du Plessis’ most challenging defense of his reign to date. A victory may propel him into the conversation among legends like Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman. Meanwhile, ‘Borz’ has dominated opponents with unrelenting early pressure, making the first few minutes critical to predicting how this bout will play out.

“I look at this fight two ways: Khamzat comes out, gets a hold of DDP, and just drags him into deep water in the first or second, and finishes him. Or DDP matches his crazy… and then drags Khamzat into deep waters in the third, fourth, or fifth round and gets him out of there,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.

He further added, “Khamzat showed his hand… I think DDP will weather the storm and probably finish Khamzat later on… I say Round 3 or 4, DDP. But if Khamzat is going to win, it’s going to be in the first round, spectacular and violent… The UFC probably wants Khamzat to be champion… Dricus by late TKO.” Well, it looks like Israel Adesanya leaned on a late-round TKO for du Plessis, but admits that both fighters have clear and drastically different routes to victory.