Abusupiyan Magomedov has issued a callout to Israel Adesanya and expressed interest in a rematch with Sean Strickland. Magomedov also discussed the origins of his signature elbow technique.
Abusupiyan Magomedov has publicly called out former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and indicated he would welcome a second meeting with current title holder Sean Strickland, making his divisional ambitions clear heading into the second half of 2026. Magomedov also shed light on the origins of the signature elbow technique that has become central to his fighting identity.
Strickland, 35, currently holds the middleweight championship and carries a record of 31 wins and 7 losses. The American fighter out of Xtreme Couture is known for relentless output, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute with a 76-inch reach that allows him to dictate range. He has already shared the cage with Magomedov, making any rematch a meaningful measuring stick for both men.
Adesanya, ranked eighth in the middleweight division, holds a record of 24-6 and remains one of the most technically accomplished strikers in the weight class. The 36-year-old Nigerian fights out of City Kickboxing and stands six-foot-four with an 80-inch reach, posting a striking accuracy of 48 percent over his career. A callout from Magomedov targeting him signals that the Dagestani contender is looking to test himself against elite competition rather than chase easier paths up the rankings.
Why it matters
- A win over Adesanya would almost certainly push Magomedov deep into title contention in a loaded middleweight division.
- A Strickland rematch carries direct championship implications given that Strickland currently holds the belt.
- Stylistically, both matchups pit Magomedov's unorthodox elbow-based striking against two fighters who rely heavily on technical stand-up, creating compelling contrast.
