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For the first time in his career, Israel Adesanya will attempt to snap a three-fight losing streak.
As one of the greatest middleweight fighters in UFC history, every move Adesanya makes is under the spotlight. Recently, however, the scrutiny has intensified as he looks to rebound from three consecutive losses. After an undefeated run in his first 20 professional MMA bouts, the 36-year-old veteran has faced significant challenges, including two title fight defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, as well as a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025.
This time, Adesanya isn't facing a champion, a former champion, or even a top-five contender. In fact, Pyfer's accomplishments pale in comparison to his own, but Adesanya understands why this particular matchup was offered.
“It’s a classic story,” Adesanya stated during UFC Seattle’s media day. “Because I’ve been watching this sport for so long, I know this is the classic scenario where they try to pit the old guard against a young, hungry dog.”
Pyfer, who boasts a 6-1 UFC record with five finishes, could certainly use a name like Adesanya to build his reputation as he aims to climb the middleweight rankings.
Adesanya, however, prefers to flip the script. Instead of crowning Pyfer as the next big star, he intends to defeat his younger opponent and remind the world that the Nigerian is still one of the best middleweight fighters on the planet.
“I’ve seen how these things play out,” Adesanya said. “It’s the cycle. Sometimes we, the older guys, stop them in their tracks. For me, in this fight, the story I’m telling myself and that I’m going to write this weekend, is how after a year off, he comes back and performs better than ever. You know how the game goes, people say, ‘You’re only as good as your last fight.’ So, when I finish this weekend, I want people to say, ‘Wow, damn, how did I ever doubt him? How could I have thought he was finished? What the hell was I thinking?’ That’s the story I want to write.”
Adesanya shared that he still has plenty of fight left in him, regardless of the outcome of his upcoming bout.
“I still have so much to give,” Adesanya said. “I’m taking everything moment by moment. Day by day. Fight by fight. Because the world right now is crazy, so we don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s all about this moment. Also, I’m at a different stage of my career. When I was coming up, I was fighting actively – five times in my first year in the UFC, challenging name after name, picking my opponents. Now, however, I am who I am, and they are challenging me.”
“I was away for a year and heard about a few challenges thrown my way, and I thought, ‘Okay, great.’ I don’t have to do all those things anymore. I just have to go in there and do my job.”
So, what does an ideal performance look like for Adesanya on Saturday? The best word to describe it might be “classic.”
“I walk in, we touch gloves, we stand face-to-face, I get into my stance and just attack him immediately,” Adesanya described. “He tries to hit me, but I’m not there. Then, when I hit him, he’ll think, ‘Okay, let’s try a takedown.’ He tries, but I stop the takedown because takedown defense starts with the feet, with the distance. I want to be clean. I want to go in there and let him hit air.”
Adesanya clearly hopes his fight against Pyfer will serve as a reminder that he is still one of the best, but he also realizes that regardless of the outcome, he is unique, and the UFC is a better place when he’s around.
“I think the sport missed me too,” Adesanya said. “Judging by what I hear in my DMs from fans, I was one of the last true fighters who was active, not just holding the belt for no reason. I fought everyone. I’m just happy to be back.”
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