Israel Adesanya takes a right hand from Sean Strickland. UFC 293. Photo: Photosport
Israel Adesanya is eyeing a return to the Octagon but says he is not coming for belts, he is coming for heads.
The former middleweight champion has not fought since losing his title to Sean Strickland after the American waged psychological war in the lead-up to their battle in the cage.
Strickland thoroughly dominated the Nigerian-born Kiwi, pressing the action throughout the five-round main event in Sydney and overwhelming the incumbent.
The "Last Stylebender" has been out of action ever since, a period which saw the middleweight strap swap shoulders from Strickland to another of Adesanya's rivals, Dricus Du Plessis.
A fight between the two African-born middleweights has been touted since Du Plessis claimed he would become the first true African champion.
Fellow fighters such as Nigerian-born Kamaru Usman and Adesanya took exception to the comments, leading to an ugly confrontation at UFC 290.
With the UFC set to head to Perth in August, Adesanya has hinted he will appear on the card in an interview on his YouTube channel.
"I'm excited it's been almost a year by the time I get back in the Octagon. People are always like 'I hope you get the belt back', but I have belts. I don't need any more belts, I'm coming for heads, that's what I want to do."
Adesanya said he had taken a more methodical approach to his training and nutrition.
"I'm putting in work. Compared to how I used to live as an athlete, it's not even close to how I'm living as an athlete now. I'm about to be 35 next month, and I realise 'father time' wins, so you have to optimise yourself."
The UFC will be back in Western Australia on 18 August, the first time since UFC 284.
"Everything comes at its own time. So right now it's just this time for training, chilling, working, relaxing, healing, and then when it's time ... it's time for killing."
City Kickboxing teammate Dan Hooker has also heavily implied he will fight in Perth.
He told Combat TV that he was adamant about appearing.
"I kind of stood my ground a little bit. They said I'll be on the card but I've just got no idea who I'll be fighting. I don't care if they're ranked, unranked, higher, lower, left, or right. I just want that date."
