Israel Adesanya is facing an uncertain future after three straight defeats in the UFC middleweight division. The Nigerian-New Zealander initially dominated the division, but recent losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis have raised questions about his ability to maintain his title reign.
Adesanya’s first loss came at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, where he was upset by Strickland. He then took an 11-month break before facing Strickland again, which ended in another defeat. The third loss, against Dricus du Plessis in August 2024, was a submission defeat in the fourth round.
Despite recent struggles, Adesanya has dismissed talk of retirement and is eager to get back in the octagon. He has expressed his desire for a rematch with Sean Strickland, hoping to even their score after two years apart. The future remains uncertain, but it’s clear that Adesanya needs to reassess his approach and make some changes if he wants to regain his title reign.
Adesanya himself acknowledges the need for time away from competition, admitting that Dana White may have been right when he warned him about burnout. However, it seems that Adesanya’s aggressive approach has backfired, leading to a series of disappointing losses. The next challenge will be crucial in determining whether Adesanya can turn things around and reclaim his status as the middleweight champion.
Source: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/05/30/israel-adesanya-reveals-dana-white-tried-to-save-him-from-a-big-mistake-after-knocking-out-alex-pereira