The Israel Adesanya-Dricus Du Plessis fight will no longer happen, at least this year, while their beef is still hot. The Stylebender chose to slug it out with Sean Strickland in Sydney next month instead.

The Kiwi-Nigerian pointed to Du Plessis's refusal to sign a contract as the reason the showdown would not happen.

The bout would have been a blockbuster, as with any Adesanya fight.

For Stylebender's coach Eugene Bareman, it is Du Plessis who lost more compared to his client. He said it would have been the South African's instant shot at a title, but he turned his back on it.

Now, he might have to wait a long time to get that opportunity.

"You don't know how they twist and turn things," he told Submission Radio.

"Never feel comfortable with where you are. If there's something in front of you that you've been working for your whole life, don't think for a minute that it can't just be taken away just like that. And he had it, and he let it slip. So, they can't be sitting comfortable thinking that they've got the next shot (after Strickland) because they don't - because I know this sport. The fact is, they don't. But they did. They never took it."

Focus now on Sean Strickland

Du Plessis became the no. 1 contender for the middleweight title after his victory over Robert Whittaker at UFC 290.

His racially-charged beef with Adesanya would also make a juicy bit in their rivalry.

Adesanya's team is putting history with Du Plessis behind them, and they are now focused on preparing for Strickland.

He is currently the odds-on favorite against the 32-year-old American who recorded a TKO against Abusupiyan Magomedov last July 1.