Israel Adesanya shares harsh assessment of ‘bland’ middleweight division ahead of UFC Seattle comeback

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes the division has taken several steps backward since his title reign.

Israel Adesanya recently signed off on his return to the Octagon as he looks to snap a three-fight losing streak. Adesanya and top knockout artist Joe Pyfer headline an intriguing card at UFC Seattle in March, featuring a co-main event between Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber.

Adesanya is looking to snap the first skid of his MMA career after a legendary title reign that included dominant wins over Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, and Alex Pereira. Regarded by many as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history, Adesanya is a welcome addition back to the middleweight division’s title picture.

Amidst Adesanya’s recent struggles and a new champion, Khamzat Chimaev, at the top of the division, middleweight is in a new era. But Adesanya doesn’t believe there aren’t a lot of things to feel positive about when it comes to the outlook of the division.

Israel Adesanya: Khamzat Chimaev’s title win only exciting middleweight moment in years

In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Adesanya shared a blunt assessment about the division he once reigned over.

“The middleweight division right now isn’t really the same as when I was in the game,” Adesanya said.

“What was the last exciting thing at middleweight? Exciting, and people were talking about it – it’s good they have Khamzat as champion, that was probably the last exciting thing, becoming champion. No UFC for six weeks…for me, it just doesn’t feel the same as when I was around. I gave people someone to love; I gave some people someone to hate. Gave them something to feel, whether they loved me or hated me.

“Right now it just feels bland,” Adesanya continued. “Other divisions are way more exciting.”

Adesanya will look to earn his first victory since a knockout win over Pereira at UFC 287 to reclaim the UFC middleweight title. Another impressive finish over Pyfer would be enough for Adesanya to add some more juice back into the middleweight title mix.