Israel Adesanya News

Harry Kettle - March 11, 2026

UFC legend Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira’s upcoming bid to win a third weight class world title. At UFC Freedom 250, Alex Pereira will attempt to become the first fighter in UFC history to win a world championship in three weight classes. Granted, it will be an interim belt, but it would also set him up for an absolutely huge unification showdown with Tom Aspinall at some point later this year (or early 2027).

Curtis Calhoun - March 4, 2026

UFC superstar Israel Adesanya is the latest big name to question Dana White on fighter pay after Conor Benn’s mega deal with Zuffa Boxing. UFC CEO Dana White made his first big splash as the head of Zuffa Boxing in signing superstar Conor Benn to a lucrative $15 million, one-fight deal. White got the latest laugh in his ongoing feud with Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn by signing one of Hearn’s longtime staples.

Harry Kettle - February 13, 2026

MMA analyst Din Thomas believes Israel Adesanya’s recent losing skid could make him even more dangerous. In his next outing, Israel Adesanya will go head to head with Joe Pyfer, one of the biggest power punchers in the UFC middleweight division. The big caveat, of course, is that ‘Stylebender’ is currently riding a three-fight losing streak, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for him, especially if he suffers a big loss at the hands of Pyfer.

Curtis Calhoun - February 12, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis credited Israel Adesanya for taking a massive risk in his upcoming fight at UFC Seattle. Former UFC middleweight champions Dricus du Plessis and Israel Adesanya shared one of the most heated feuds in the division’s history ahead of their fight at UFC 305. Two years later, tensions have alleviated between the two sides as they both look to get back into the title mix.

Cole Shelton - February 9, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya nearly fought Reinier de Ridder on short notice. After Anthony Hernandez was forced out of his main event fight against de Ridder, Adesanya was offered the bout and was interested in it. However, he was injured and wouldn’t have been ready in time, so Brendan Allen got the fight instead.

Dylan Bowker - January 26, 2026

Israel Adesanya recently likened the Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje fight to the paradigm shift-enacting fight between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin in 2005 at the inaugural Ultimate Fighter season finale. UFC 324 kicked off the new media rights deal on Paramount and saw Justin Gaethje achieve the unprecedented feat of becoming a two-time interim UFC champ when he bested Paddy Pimblett on the scorecards in the headliner of the night. Former interim UFC middleweight champ, who would go on to secure two reigns with the legendary strap, Israel Adesanya, recently weighed in on the bout that saw Gaethje emerge with the strap once again. This comparison point with Griffin vs. Bonnar was expressed by the standout middleweight combatant on his YouTube channel recently, as Adesanya said [via MMA Junkie],

Harry Kettle - January 24, 2026

UFC legend Israel Adesanya has backed Paddy Pimblett to defeat Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 tonight. In the main event of UFC 324 this evening, Paddy Pimblett will go head to head with Justin Gaethje for the UFC interim lightweight championship. It’s easily the biggest fight of Paddy’s career, and while the same can’t be said for Justin, it certainly feels significant – especially given that he’s heavily hinted at the possibility of retirement.

Curtis Calhoun - January 21, 2026

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.

BJ Penn Staff - January 16, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland has once again divided the MMA world with a controversial social media post — and rising middleweight contender Joe Pyfer quickly followed his lead. Strickland and Pyfer are two of the top Americans competing in the UFC middleweight division. Both have big fights coming up. Strickland is set to take on surging contender Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston on Feb. 21. Pyfer, meanwhile, will take on middleweight legend Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle on Mar. 28.

Curtis Calhoun - January 13, 2026

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will headline UFC Seattle on March 28th as he looks to snap a three-fight skid. After winning 23 of his first 24 MMA fights, former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has lost four of his last five bouts, including back-to-back stoppage defeats to Dricus du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya faces a must-win situation if he wants to get back into the middleweight title mix amid a three-fight losing streak.

Harry Kettle - December 30, 2025

UFC star Israel Adesanya has revealed what he considers to be his most perfect performance in mixed martial arts. Throughout the course of his career, Israel Adesanya has had his fair share of ups and downs. Of course, at the very height of his run, he was able to become a two-time UFC middleweight champion. He was also one of the biggest stars in the entire sport, carrying the division on his back for a good few years prior to the arrival of Alex Pereira.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 28, 2025

Israel Adesanya wants his former rival Alex Pereira to keep winning until he’s ready to retire. Adesanya and Pereira had a well documented rivalry in combat sports. After a pair of kickboxing matches, “Poatan” stopped Adesanya to capture the UFC Middleweight Championship. The win put Pereira at 3-0 against Adesanya, who responded by knocking Pereira out to regain the 185-pound gold.

Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was devastated watching Leon Edwards’s third-straight loss at UFC 322. UFC 322 wrapped up last Saturday night in New York City as a new welterweight titleholder was crowned in the main event. Islam Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to win a second divisional belt, just months after vacating the lightweight title.

Curtis Calhoun - November 11, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya shared a surprising prediction for the UFC 322 welterweight main event. UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena’s title reign kicks off this weekend against Islam Makhachev at UFC 322. After defeating Belal Muhammad for the belt earlier this year at UFC 315, Maddalena will welcome the former pound-for-pound king to the welterweight division in one of the biggest fights of the year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 7, 2025

Israel Adesanya believes there’s a path for Jack Della Maddalena to give Islam Makhachev problems at UFC 322. Maddalena is scheduled to put the UFC Welterweight Championship at stake against Makhachev inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. The title is scheduled to take place on Nov. 15. Makhachev was the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, but he vacated the gold in an effort to win a title in a second weight class.

Harry Kettle - October 9, 2025

Israel Adesanya believes Carlos Ulberg should receive the next UFC light heavyweight championship shot against Alex Pereira. In the wake of his knockout win over Dominick Reyes, there was a lot of talk about Carlos Ulberg receiving the next title shot at 205 pounds. Of course, we had to wait and see how the UFC 320 main event played out, and we now know that Alex Pereira is once again the king of the division after finishing Magomed Ankalaev in the first round of their rematch.

Curtis Calhoun - October 2, 2025

Alex Pereira’s four-time combat sports rival, Israel Adesanya, predicts the Brazilian will dethrone Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will look for revenge this weekend when he takes on newly minted light heavyweight titleholder Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 320 main event. Their rematch comes just months after Ankalaev ended Pereira’s unbeaten light heavyweight run, defeating Pereira by unanimous decision to secure the title.

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.