Israel Adesanya is currently facing tough times after failing to reclaim his middleweight title at UFC 305. The former two-time champion finds himself at crossroads, leaving many wondering what his next move will be will be about. UFC legend Chael Sonnen has drawn stark comparisons between Adesanya’s current form and that of Ronda Rousey, pointing to possible similarities in their career paths
The Rise and Fall of a Superstar
Like Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya, she was once a star UFC fans can’t get enough of. Dana White placed a high value on Rousey, making sure she appeared in the main event ever since she made her UFC debut. His contract with the UFC also stated that he was the highest paid player in the promotion at the time. But a loss to Holly Holm and an unsuccessful attempt to reclaim the title against Amanda Nunes followed.
Chael Sonnen reflected on the Rousey situation during an episode of the ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ episode, “One of the reasons I bring Ronda Rousey into this was Ronda had such a great deal, she had such great conviction that she had to you use him on PPVs…. . The main event, and usually the main event for a PPV, especially in a women’s fight, is reserved for title fights where she couldn’t win the match again.”
As Rousey’s invincible aura faded, it became harder for Dana White to justify putting her in the main events. “Ronda was still five, seven, ten,” Sonnen continued. If he wanted to compete in some matches, he could still win, but it was very difficult to justify using him in any capacity in the main event.” According to Sonnen, Israel Adesanya is in a similar situation right now, and the UFC legend is advising Adesanya to be more cautious in his next steps.
Chael Sonnen Warning to Adesanya
The recent loss of Adesanya puts him in uncharted territory. It was the first time in his career he lost twice, something he had never experienced before. In 2022, Adesanya signed a lucrative new UFC contract, making her the highest paid athlete in the promotion, much like Rousey was in her heyday. Despite her victory, Sonnen argues that Adesanya needs to be strategic in her future fights to avoid a similar downward spiral to Rousey.
“Adesanya, when he signed his new contract, which was about two years ago. It was before he fought Whittaker a second time… which made him the highest paid man in the sport at the time… he needed a plan,” Sonnen insisted. The UFC veteran insisted that Adesanya’s career could slow down if he doesn’t pick his next opponents carefully. With no clear path to the title and several contenders ahead of him, Adesanya’s status is not uncertain. “Adesya fights for the tournament and fights hate, man. This story works, but right now, it looks like he’s been left without an opponent,” Sonnen added.
What’s next for ‘The Last Stylebender’?
Fighting games can be unforgiving, where even the slightest setback can have a significant impact on a player’s career. But Israel Adesanya assured his fans that he wasn’t “f***ing leaving”. This news shows his determination to stay in the game, but the big question remains: what’s next for ‘The Last Stylebender’? With no immediate title shot, and no serious competition in the division, Adesanya will have to move carefully through this season to avoid the same fate as Ronda Rousey.
