Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has opened up about his uncertain future in the sport following a devastating knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov. The defeat marks Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, raising questions about his place in the division and whether he will challenge for the title again.
Adesanya, who had previously held the middleweight strap and dominated the division, addressed his future on his YouTube channel on February 21. In a candid conversation, he admitted that he no longer expects to compete for a title again.
“Do I have a title shot in mind for the future… No,” Israel Adesanya laughed. “. . . When I got to the UFC, I never chased the belt; I expected it. . . . After the [Du Plessis] fight I remember thinking, ‘Oh well. Cool, It’ll [the title] come around, I don’t have to chase it, because I expect it.”
The 34-year-old also reflected on his mindset shift after his loss to Imavov.
“. . . But after this fight [with Imavov] I’m just like, ‘You know what? I’m not expecting anything. I’m not expecting to be the champion again.’ Like I said, if what I’ve done in this game doesn’t make me happy already, what will? So I’m not expecting it. If it comes, I’ll take it with both hands…”
A tough road for former champions
Israel Adesanya’s career trajectory mirrors that of other former champions who have struggled to reclaim their dominance. Fighters like Kamaru Usman, Francis Ngannou, and Tony Ferguson have all faced similar downturns, transitioning from long winning streaks to multiple consecutive losses.
Adesanya once stood alongside Usman and Ngannou as part of a dominant trio of African champions. However, their combined recent record paints a grim picture, with just one win in their last nine fights.
A similar fate has struck other UFC legends, including Alexander Volkanovski, who suffered back-to-back knockout losses, and Henry Cejudo, who faces a crucial fight this weekend to avoid extending his losing streak.
What’s next for Israel Adesanya?
With Israel Adesanya seemingly ruling out another title run, fans and analysts alike are left speculating about his next move. Will he continue competing at middleweight, explore other weight classes, or even consider stepping away from the sport entirely?
While his future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Adesanya’s impact on the sport is undeniable. Regardless of what lies ahead, his legacy as one of the UFC’s greatest middleweights is firmly cemented.