Israel Adesanya confirms UFC return date… but did Dana White accidentally give the big secret away?

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 break from mixed martial arts following his shock defeat to Sean Strickland in Sydney last September after enjoying an incredible, yet taxing series of defenses of his middleweight title.

His return to the Octagon has long been mooted, with Adesanya heavily linked to headline UFC 300, but his fierce rival Dricus du Plessis could not commit to the date.

But the South African has seemingly recovered from the injuries he sustained during his grueling title win over Strickland, with Adesanya taking to Instagram to share a mock image of himself wearing the brand new UFC gold gloves.

Only fighters competing in title fights wear the golden gloves, and the bottom right corner of the image reads: ‘UFC 305. Du Plessis vs Adesanya. August 17.’

The Last Stylebender confirmed the news on social media on Monday

Fans weren’t surprised when Dana White accidentally leaked the news

Adesanya captioned the post: “The SUN of Africa is the same sun that lights our planet.

‘The SUN sets and rises again until you bump into it.

‘The SUN, enjoy it while it shines. Darkness falls when it is gone.’

The build-up to the fight between Du Plessis and Adesanya 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, unlike Adesanya who was born in Nigeria before moving to New Zealand.

Monday’s news didn’t come as a complete shock to UFC fans, after the promotion’s CEO Dana White accidentally gave away the big secret during a recent video in his office – where he fights.

Adesanya’s name was seen on the wall before UFC 305, leading many fans to believe he was due for another fight against du Plessis.