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Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya has been one of the most electrifying fighters in UFC history. A creative, confident, and supremely skilled striker, the Lagos-born middleweight ascended to championship heights with a flair rarely seen in martial arts. However, Adesanya's illustrious career stands at a crossroads.
With three defeats in his last four Octagon appearances, and questions about his motivation and physical prime, many wonder if Adesanya can reclaim his title or if this is the beginning of the end.
The Meteoric Rise of Adesanya
Adesanya wowed mixed martial arts fans on his UFC debut in 2018. His composed demeanor and incredible striking ability quickly made him a fan favorite. He won five consecutive fights in just over a year and earned three Performance of the Night and one Fight of the Night bonuses. This set up a clash with Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC middleweight title. Adesanya won by unanimous decision and became a UFC champion for the first time.
Later in 2019, Adesanya unified the middleweight belt by defeating the legendary Robert Whittaker via a stunning second-round knockout at UFC 243. The win cemented Adesanya's status as the undisputed champion and established him as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. The best UFC online betting sites priced Adesanya as a clear favorite during his title defenses against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa. He lived up to the hype and emerged victorious from both clashes.
Cracks Appear in Adesanya's Armor
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Although no fighter is invincible, it was starting to seem like Adesanya was unbeatable. However, in March 2021, he moved up to light heavyweight and fought Jan Blachowicz in an attempt to become a two-division champion. Adesanya struggled to adapt to the Polish fighter's size and ground control, and lost the fight unanimously. Although he remained the middleweight champion, the loss revealed that Adesanya could be beaten with the right game plan.
The Last Stylebender bounced back with victories over Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier in the middleweight class. In November 2022, at UFC 281, Adesanya faced Alex Pereira, who had defeated him twice during the pair's Glory Kickboxing days. Pereira knocked out Adesanya in the fifth round, clinching the belt and sending the MMA world into a state of shock.
Adesanya reclaimed his title with a stunning second-round knockout in April 2023 at UFC 287. Unfortunately, the euphoria of that victory did not last long because Sean Strickland dominated him for five rounds with relentless forward pressure, which shut down Adesanya's rhythm. Strickland entered the fight as the underdog but emerged as a worthy winner, with Adesanya's championship belt around his waist.
Recent Losses Raise Questions
Every UFC fighter has an off-night, and fans and analysts hoped Adesanya had one during his loss to Strickland. Unfortunately for Adesanya and his legion of loyal supporters, things worsened in 2024. He faced South Africa's Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, where du Plessis wore Adesanya down, ultimately leading to a fourth-round submission.
Adesanya then headlined the UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February 2025. He faced the Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov, a fighter known for his fluid striking. Early in the second round, Imavov landed a sharp right hand that sent Adesanya crashing to the canvas. It marked the first time in Adesanya's career that he was rendered unconscious by a single shot, and questions were immediately raised about whether age, accumulated damage, or mental burnout had finally caught up with him.
A Legacy on the Line
Adesanya is 35 years old, which is not old by UFC standards, but he is still approaching the twilight of his career. He has been active for years with little downtime, taking on anyone who dares to step into the octagon with him. The biggest question is whether he can physically compete at the top level, but whether he still wants to.
His legacy is already significant, particularly in Africa, where he is deemed a hero. Alongside Francis Ngannou and Kamaru Usman, Adesanya was part of a golden era of African UFC champions. However, legacies are fluid. How Adesanya responds to his downturn in fortunes will shape how he is remembered. Returning triumphantly could reinforce his generational talent status, but continuing decline could cast a shadow over his once glittering career.
What's Next for The Last Stylebender?
As of May 2025, Adesanya has yet to confirm his next fight. Rumors circulating suggest a rematch with Strickland or a fight against a rising contender like Brendan Allen or Roman Dolidze is potentially on the cards. Some pundits suggest a final trilogy fight with Alex Pereira would be perfect. However, Pereria now fights at light heavyweight, so Adesanya would have to move up divisions for that to happen.
One thing that is crystal clear is that Adesanya must adjust his fighting style. Du Plessis and Imavov showed that keeping Adesanya under pressure and denying him space can lead to success. Adesanya's time and control of range were always his strengths, but he must evolve again as younger, hungrier fights continue closing the gap.
Whether the future holds redemption or retirement, the next chapter of Adesanya's UFC career will be a must-watch for fans in Nigeria, Africa, and worldwide.
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