Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya recently shared his thoughts on the future of his division and his reluctance to transition into boxing before hanging up his gloves. Speaking ahead of his matchup against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle on March 28, Adesanya emphasized his commitment to mixed martial arts, where he believes he can utilize all of his skills in the octagon.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, the 36-year-old fighter expressed that while he recognized the allure of boxing, especially given his reputation as one of the finest strikers in MMA, the limitations of boxing do not appeal to him. “I have my price… It’s a lot. The only people that can make it happen is Saudi (Arabia),” Adesanya remarked, adding, “I never want to get tempted to do it. I wanna finish in Ultimate Fighting (Championship). I don’t wanna get nerfed. I wanna fight with all my weapons. I wanna be able to kick someone in the face if I have to… So, yeah. Nah.”
With a professional record of 24 wins, 5 losses, and 16 knockout victories, Adesanya boasts the second-longest winning streak in middleweight history, trailing only behind Anderson Silva. However, he took a moment to critique the current state of the UFC middleweight division, labeling it as “bland” compared to when he actively competed for the title. He reflected on the lack of excitement in the division, stating, “What was the last exciting thing at middleweight? It’s good they have Khamzat as champion. That was probably the last exciting thing, becoming champion.”
Adesanya’s time in the spotlight was marked by his ability to evoke strong feelings from fans, whether love or hatred, a dynamic he believes is missing in the current landscape of middleweight fighters. “I gave people someone to love. I gave some people someone to hate. Gave them something to feel,” he stated. In contrast, he noted that other divisions in UFC seem to be more riveting at the moment.
Entering his fight against Pyfer, Adesanya faces a turning point, coming off three consecutive losses and stepping into the matchup as an underdog for the first time in his professional career. The outcome of this fight could be pivotal for his future in the sport, presenting an opportunity to regain his standing in the middleweight division and potentially reignite the excitement he feels has faded.