UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has spoken for the first time since he lost to Jan Blachowicz in the early hours of Sunday.

The 31-year-old admitted that his fight against Blachowicz didn’t go the way he wanted.

Adesanya confirmed he would eventually return to the light heavyweight division, but will first return to the middleweight division to defend his belt.

Adesanya lost to Blachowicz at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Polish fighter earned the victory by scores of 49-46, 49-45 and 49-45.

“It didn’t go the way I wanted it to go, but dare to be great,” Adesanya said after the fight.

“The critics are the ones on the sidelines, but I’m the one putting it on the line.”

He added, “I rule them with an iron black fist.

“I’m going to go back down and handle business. If you want to get off the hype train, get the f— off the hype train. We are just stopping for gas. If you want to stay on, I promise I’ll make you proud.”