Adesanya: 'I'd love to headline' UFC 300

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is eyeing a spot on a historic card in 2024.

Adesanya, who defends his title against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on Saturday in Sydney, Australia, said he wants to serve as the main attraction at UFC 300, which is expected to take place in the first half of next year.

"I'd love to headline that," Adesanya said at UFC 293 media day on Wednesday.

"I've watched UFC 100, that was Brock Lesnar versus Frank Mir. UFC 200, that was (Miesha Tate versus Amanda Nunes). I've been a fan of the sport for a long time. UFC 300, I'm going to touch that, because I know I'm not going to hit UFC 400. I'm definitely going to hit UFC 300. That's one I'm going to be a part of."

Adesanya, a Nigerian-born New Zealander, is one of the biggest stars in MMA and has been one of the most active champions in recent UFC history. "The Last Stylebender" regained the middleweight belt in April with a vicious knockout of rival Alex Pereira after losing to Pereira last November. Adesanya is seeking a sixth successful title defense overall.

UFC 100 took place in 2009 and UFC 200 went down in 2016, both breaking one million pay-per-view buys.

Adesanya said UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who hails from Australia, should also be part of UFC 300.

"I'll co-headline for Alex Volkanovski," Adesanya said. "That's my dog. If he doesn't fight, then I'll headline it.

"I'm sure there's other people, as well - Conor (McGregor) will probably try and jump in there because he's a superstar and he just gets whatever he wants. Yeah, we'll see."

The two likeliest options for Adesanya's next title defense - should he get past Strickland - are Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev.

Du Plessis, the No. 1-ranked middleweight, was supposed to face Adesanya at UFC 293 but could not take the fight due to injury. Chimaev is scheduled to return to the 185-pound division in an October fight against former title challenger Paulo Costa. Adesanya said in August that Chimaev could leapfrog Du Plessis with a victory.