Israel Adesanya confirms UFC return date... but did Dana White accidentally give the big secret away?
Israel Adesanya has confirmed his return to the UFC Octagon Adesanya, 34, took a break after his loss to Sean Strickland last year But he has announced he will be competing in August
Israel Adesanya has confirmed his long-awaited return to the UFC, with the former champion set to take on his arch rival in Perth.
Adesanya, 34, announced a mixed martial arts hiatus following his shock defeat by Sean Strickland in Sydney last September, having enjoyed an incredible, yet taxing, run of defences of his middleweight title.
His return to the Octagon has long been mooted, with Adesanya strongly linked with the headline slot on UFC 300, but his fierce rival Dricus du Plessis was unable to commit to the date.
But the South African has seemingly recovered from the injuries he obtained in his gruelling title victory over Strickland, with Adesanya sharing a mocked-up image of himself wearing the UFC's brand new golden gloves on Instagram.
Only fighters competing in title fights wear the golden gloves, and in the bottom right corner of the image, it reads: 'UFC 305. Du Plessis vs Adesanya. August 17.'
Israel Adesanya has confirmed his return to the UFC Octagon
The Last Stylebender confirmed the news on social media on Monday
Fans were not surprised as Dana White had inadvertently leaked the news
Adesanya captioned the post: 'The SUN of Africa is the same sun that lights up our planet.
'The SUN will set and will rise again until you walk into it.
'The SUN, enjoy while it shines. Darkness falls when it’s gone.'
The build up to Du Plessis and Adesanya's fight is expected to be tense.
The pair previously traded barbs, with the South African claiming he would be a true African champion, who lives, breathes and trains in Africa, in contrast to Adesanya who was born in Nigeria before moving to New Zealand.
Monday's news has not come as a complete shock to UFC fans, after the promotion's CEO, Dana White, inadvertently gave the big secret away during a recent video in his office - where he makes fights.
Adesanya's name could be seen on the wall for UFC 305, leading many fans to believe he is due for a return fight against du Plessis.