Adesanya explains the decision to pause his career

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the latest episode of his YouTube channel, he explained what prompted him to take a break after an unexpected defeat in a fight with Sean Strickland.

“At one point I put on my headphones and started shadow boxing. I looked in the mirror and caught myself thinking that I was somewhere else. Then I looked into my eyes and realized that the beast inside me had disappeared somewhere. Now the old feelings are starting to return. I said I was taking a break. I'm here. I am not resigning. I just took a little break.

I had four fights in fourteen months as a champion. Additionally, there are things that need to be fixed outside of combat. I miss the beast that lived inside of me. I know it's still there, just a little cooler. For now I’m just working, helping my teammates. “I know there will come a time when I will be looking forward to my return, but for now we need to be patient,” the Nigerian said.

Let us remember that in September last year, Adesanya lost to Strickland by unanimous decision and lost his belt.