Israel Adesanya News
Israel Adesanya no longer interested in marquee UFC fight: 'I've moved on'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 28, 2025
Israel Adesanya is no longer seeking a rematch with an unexpected rival. Fans won’t soon forget one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history back in Sept. 2023. Adesanya put the UFC Middleweight Championship at stake against Sean Strickland. “The Last Stylebender” had no answer for the relentless pressure of Strickland, and he dropped the 185-pound title via unanimous decision.
Israel Adesanya isn't ready to walk away from UFC just yet, says longtime coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
Israel Adesanya won’t be hanging up his gloves imminently. Adesanya has earned his share of accomplishments throughout his fighting career. The former Glory Kickboxing star made a seamless transition to MMA, and he captured the UFC Middleweight Championship twice. While Adesanya enjoyed his time ruling the roost at 185 pounds, he now finds himself in unfamiliar territory with three straight losses.
Israel Adesanya's take on possible Khamzat Chimaev vs Nassourdine Imavov title fight
Harry Kettle - September 8, 2025
Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on how a showdown between Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov could go. Last Saturday night, Nassourdine Imavov was pretty dominant in his UFC Paris main event against Caio Borralho. He was able to control the fight both on the feet and, really, on the ground. He proved himself to be one of the top middleweight contenders out there and as a result, he is now one of the first names in line for a potential shot at Khamzat Chimaev’s world title.
Israel Adesanya predicts UFC Paris main event featuring rival who KO'd him
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2025
Israel Adesanya is keeping a keen eye on the UFC Paris headliner between middleweights Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov. UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev’s first title defense could come against the winner of this Saturday’s main event between Caio Borralho and Nassourdine Imavov.
Israel Adesanya reveals his Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev prediction
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2025
UFC star Israel Adesanya has given his prediction for this weekend’s title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Tomorrow night, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Khamzat Chimaev. The two will collide in their highly anticipated UFC 319 main event, and right now, it’s pretty hard to say which way it’s going to go. Everyone is bound to view this fight differently but given what we know about both men, all we can really expect is that it’s going to be an incredibly fun fight.
Israel Adesanya praises former rival Paulo Costa after UFC 318 victory
Harry Kettle - July 21, 2025
Israel Adesanya has some rare praise for former rival Paulo Costa following the latter’s win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. On Saturday night at UFC 318, Paulo Costa was able to get himself back in the win column. He did so against Roman Kopylov and while it was a competitive fight in certain areas, the Brazilian star was able to prove that he’s still more than capable of mixing it up with those residing in the top 15 of the middleweight division.
Dustin Poirier can't be discredited for never winning undisputed UFC title, says Israel Adesanya
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 17, 2025
Israel Adesanya doesn’t agree with those who try to discredit Dustin Poirier’s career. Poirier is set to enter the Octagon for the final time as a competitor on Saturday. He will collide with familiar foe Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans. For Poirier, it’s a chance to leave pro MMA competition with a third win over “Blessed.”
Israel Adesanya questions Sean Strickland's current mental state 2 years after UFC title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025
Israel Adesanya believes Sean Strickland might be going through some things at the moment. Adesanya and Strickland are no strangers to one another inside the Octagon. The two collided back in Sept. 2023. Adesanya was the UFC Middleweight Champion going into the bout and he was a huge betting favorite. Strickland ended up getting the better of “Izzy” for five rounds to pull off the upset unanimous decision victory to become the 185-pound titleholder.
Israel Adesanya can't stand one ranked UFC welterweight: 'I hate him, bro'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2025
Israel Adesanya is not a fan of one well-known UFC welterweight. This past Saturday, Kamaru Usman stepped inside the Octagon for the first time since Oct. 2023. After healing from nagging injuries, “The Nigerian Nightmare” faced Joaquin Buckley. Ahead of the UFC Atlanta main event, many felt that this would be another case of the old guard being phased out. Instead, Usman’s grappling gave “New Mansa” significant problems. While Buckley was dangerous in the final round, it wasn’t enough. Usman scored the unanimous decision victory.
Israel Adesanya gives his thoughts on Alex Pereira’s chances in Magomed Ankalaev rematch
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2025
UFC star Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on a potential rematch between former foe Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. As we know, Alex Pereira is one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He’s an incredible athlete and has accomplished some great things, but one thing that he’s perhaps known for best is his rivalry with Israel Adesanya. He currently holds a 3-1 lead over ‘Stylebender’ and hopefully, some day, we get to see them run it back once again.
Kelvin Gastelum reflects on iconic Israel Adesanya fight ahead of UFC Hall of Fame induction
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025
Kelvin Gastelum has reflected on his iconic fight against Israel Adesanya ahead of his upcoming UFC Hall of Fame induction. At UFC 316, Kelvin Gastelum will make his return to the cage when he battles rising prospect Joe Pyfer. In the eyes of many, this is a great opportunity for Pyfer to reach the next level in his pursuit of UFC gold – whereas the popular belief is that Kelvin is now playing the role of ‘gatekeeper’ for many of these young prospects.
Israel Adesanya reveals interest in training with former rival Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2025
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has said that he’d be interested in training with Jon Jones at some point in the future. As we know, Israel Adesanya is a pretty iconic figure within the world of mixed martial arts. He is one of the most popular fighters of his generation, and he’s one of the most successful middleweight in the history of the sport. Alas, across his last few fights, he’s fallen short in a string of losses that have left many wondering how much longer he’s got left at the elite level.
Kamaru Usman to Israel Adesanya: 'It's not fair' if you don't fight Alex Pereira again
BJ Penn Staff - April 24, 2025
Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have one of the most legendary rivalries in combat sports history. Former UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman believes that rivalry needs to continue. Adesanya and Pereira began their rivalry in the kickboxing ring. They first met under the Glory of Heroes banner in Shenzhen, China in 2016. Brazil’s Pereira won that first encounter, defeating the Nigerian-born Kiwi Adesanya by unanimous decision.
Israel Adesanya reveals he has officially requested opponent for next UFC fight
BJ Penn Staff - April 22, 2025
Israel Adesanya has officially informed UFC executives that he is ready to return to action. In fact, he even requested a specific opponent when he spoke to them. Adesanya is one of the greatest middleweights in MMA history — probably the second greatest behind Anderson Silva. However, the recent years of his career after bumpy. First, he lost the middleweight title to Alex Pereira. While he reclaimed the belt in their immediate rematch, he then lost it again in the first defense of his second reign, suffering a shocking decision loss to Sean Strickland.
WATCH | UFC legends Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman go toe-to-toe in sparring
BJ Penn Staff - April 18, 2025
Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman are two of the greatest fighters in UFC history. They also happen to be good friends. Adesanya is the former UFC middleweight champ. Usman is the former champion at welterweight. While Adesanya currently lives in New Zealand, and Usman in the United States, both were born in Nigeria, and bonded over their shared heritage during their time as UFC champions.
WATCH | Sean O'Malley trains with Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 316 title fight
BJ Penn Staff - April 15, 2025
Sean O’Malley has been training with one of the best fighters in MMA history ahead of his UFC 316 rematch with Merab Dvalishvili. UFC 316 goes down on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. O’Malley will meet Dvalishvili in the main event.
Israel Adesanya's coach unsure of former UFC champion's future in MMA
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 9, 2025
The future of Israel Adesanya inside the Octagon is unclear. Adesanya ruled the roost of the UFC middleweight division twice, but he now finds himself on a three-fight skid. He lost back-to-back title fights against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. “The Last Stylebender” was then stopped by Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia.
Yoel Romero offers some advice to former UFC rival Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2025
Former UFC star Yoel Romero has offered some advice to former rival and pay-per-view opponent Israel Adesanya. As we know, Israel Adesanya is one of the best champions of his generation. He achieved some great things during his reign as UFC middleweight champion, and he also accomplished some wonderful things as a contender.




