Speaking with reporters on the red carpet of the 2025 UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, where Adesanya was being inducted for his 2019 fight with Kelvin Gastelum, Adesanya confirmed he’s hoping to return to action against Strickland in September or October. “I think he’s going through something,” Adesanya said when asked about facing Strickland in the fall. “I haven’t really seen anything, but someone sent me a screenshot, like, ‘Oh, he’s fat now.’ I saw it and I was like, oh shit. “Sean’s a guy who definitely has a lot of old school stuff, trauma he has to deal with. We all go through shit. But for him, that’s easy. He should have just said something and start roasting me or whatever. That’s a Sean Strickland thing to do, but he’s been quiet. “Sean, it’s June, men’s mental health month. I hope you’re looking out for your mental health, and also looking out for your physical health. You fat bitch. [Laughs].” Well, Strickland wasn’t quiet for long. Just a few days after that statement, Strickland found himself in another bad situation when he stormed the cage at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas and punched a fighter who taunted him after beating one of his teammates. There’s no word yet on whether or not Strickland will face a suspension from the commissions for his latest outburst, but if so, that could throw a wrench in Adesanya’s plans.