Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly attempted to persuade Israel Adesanya to consider an early comeback from his hiatus in the UFC during a chance meeting in Saudi Arabia.
Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, had previously disclosed plans for an extended break from active competition, potentially until 2027, following his title loss in September. However, during a recent event in Saudi Arabia that hosted celebrities and renowned athletes for the Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou boxing bout, Adesanya’s interest seemed to be piqued by the prospects of a UFC debut in Saudi Arabia scheduled for March next year.
The Nigerian-born fighter crossed paths with Ronaldo at the event, leading to a conversation between the two sports stars. Ronaldo, known for his support of mixed martial arts, encouraged Adesanya to participate in the first-ever UFC event in Saudi Arabia, slated for 2024.
According to reports from Sportskeeda, Ronaldo expressed surprise at Adesanya’s absence from the upcoming event’s fight card and seemed open to the idea of watching the UFC star compete in Saudi Arabia. Despite Adesanya’s intentions to take a break due to the toll of his recent fighting schedule on his body, the interaction with Ronaldo appeared to reignite his interest in the sport.
Adesanya shared his feelings on social media, acknowledging the tempting prospect of being part of the Saudi Arabia event, stating, “I appreciate the love from greats who recognize the realness! Saudi Arabia in March… tempting hahaha.”
Earlier in October, Adesanya had openly discussed the physical toll of competing in four fights within the past 14 months, indicating the need for recovery. However, his recent interaction with Ronaldo and the potential UFC event in Saudi Arabia seems to have prompted a reconsideration of his hiatus plans.
The apparent backtracking on his break highlights the potential influence of the Saudi Arabia event and the encouragement received from renowned figures like Cristiano Ronaldo on Adesanya’s decision to contemplate an early return to the sport of mixed martial arts.
