Coach gives update on Israel Adesanya’s next opponent: “Sign it – get it done!”

Israel Adesanya. Photo via Instagram (@stylebender)

Someone new and different – that’s what Israel Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman is looking for next.

“What it does is it provides weird opportunites. Because as you know, the sport must move on, the division must move on, we have to fight someone. So it will provide some weird opportunity for someone that people are least expecting to get a title shot, to get a title shot,” Bareman recently said on The MMA Hour.

So, let’s take a look at possible next opponents for Israel Adesanya!

Dricus Du Plessis

Dricus du Plessis lands a punch. Photo via Instagram (@dricusduplessis)

Rising South African contender Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya have gone back and forth in the media for a while, and a grudge match between the pair is something that interests Izzy’s coach.

“The South African lad, I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched one of his fights yet. But, I do remember the lad, I spent a couple weeks with him at Tiger, and I remember he had a twin brother. Obviously, a very nice lad then, and obviously now he’s gotten in the UFC and is doing a whole promotional thing,” Bareman said.

Sean Strickland

Sean ”Tarzan” Strickland. Photo: Trevor MacMillan – USA TODAY Sports

Sean Strickland is one of the few top ranked middleweights that has not fought Adesanya yet.

Coming from a win against Nassourdine Imavov in January, the No. 7 ranked striker might be closer to a title shot than some think.

“Strickland’s still there,” Bareman said. “Strickland will always give you an entertaining fight.”

Jamahal Hill

Jamahall Hill could be next for Israel Adesanya. Photo via Twitter (UFC)

A move up to light heavyweight to face reigning champion Jamahal Hill is something that makes Izzy’s coach go.

“Let’s do it — let’s do it,” Bareman said. “I’m sure he’s a very tough champ. If you’re a world champion, you’re best of the best. I’m sure he’s a very tough fight.”

“Let’s do it. Sign it, get it done, boys.”

Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat ”Borz” Chimaev. Photo: USA Today Sports

Top ranked UFC welterweight Khamzat Chimaev might move to middleweight next, but an immediate shot at the 185 lbs title is out of the question according to the coach Bareman.

“Has Khamzat fought at middleweight yet? “We can’t be ridiculous,” Bareman said. “This is the most prestigious title in the sport, okay? Sometimes business takes precedent, I understand that. But you’re gonna give the guy a title shot?”

Jan Blachowicz

Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie / Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports

Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz defeated Adesanya in 2021 and claimed he wants to go down a weight class to do it again.

“If UFC would like to make this fight [at middleweight], I will do it, no problem. I know how to do it, it will be great motivation for me to beat him in another one. So, yeah, why not? I’m ready to do that,” Blachowicz recently said.

The weight wouldn’t be a problem according to the 40-year-old Polish light heavyweight, who said he just needed three to four months to prepare.

“I find a way how to do it. And of course, how to do it and feel in very good shape in the fight.”

Rob Whittaker

Robert Whittaker clashed with Israel Adesanya twice. Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Even though Izzy’s coach is not a fan of having his fighter face Rob Whittaker for a third time, the No. 1 ranked middleweight is still in the picture.

”I’m hunting for it,” Whittaker recently told Submission Radio. ”I’m never gonna stop hunting for him and that’s just the truth of it. I will never stop. I will never stop coming for him. And if I have to run through people and just end people’s careers to get that third shot at him, then I will. That’s just what I’m going to do.”

Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum. Photo: Jason Silva – USA TODAY Sports

Kelvin Gastelum, who had a tough run since giving Adesanya one of his hardest fights ever, wants a rematch in the future.

“I’m ready to go all the way this time, all the way to the belt. Maybe a rematch with Izzy. Who knows? “That’s the goal. Why not? People want to see that fight. I want to be a champion. I’m not just saying that just to say it. I mean that, so that’s where I’m working towards,” Gastelum recently said on his YouTube channel.

Alex Pereira

Alex Pereira defeated Israel Adesanya at UFC 281. Photo via Twitter (UFC)

Alex Pereira just announced that he intends to move up to light heavyweight next. So a trilogy MMA fight between the rivals is not likely to take place anytime soon.

“I think I did my work at 185 and now I’m feeling good to go up to 205,” Pereira said.

This is Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya. Photo via Twitter UFC

• Age: 33
• Weight: 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
• Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
• Reach: 80 in (203 cm)
• MMA Record: 24-2
• UFC record: 13-2
• UFC title defenses: 5
• Post-fight bonuses: 8

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