“He looked good. He [Izzy] was picking him apart, staying on the outside. His takedown defense was incredible, chopping that calf kick the whole first round. He couldn’t have had a better first round—and then he got caught. Listen, getting caught is getting caught,” said Dana White last week after the promotion’s successful outing in Saudi Arabia. The UFC head honcho was among the many who were left stunned as Israel Adesanya suffered his third consecutive loss.

At UFC Saudi Arabia, #2 185lbs contender Nassourdine Imavov sent the former middleweight champion into the shadow realm with a heavy right hand in the second round. While Dana White didn’t anticipate such a drastic downfall, he later rationalized the result by citing the age gap between the duo. At 35, Adesanya found himself up against a younger, fresher opponent in the 28-year-old Imavov.

The Nigerian-Kiwi started strong, dictating the pace and asserting dominance with precise striking in the opening round. However, the momentum shifted in the second and ultimately led to another setback for Adesanya. The brutal finish effectively removed him from the immediate title picture. Despite the setback, White appeared unfazed by Adesanya’s apparent decline.

Speaking on YouTube with Mark Bouris, he addressed whether Izzy’s knockout loss came as a surprise: “Listen, Izzy looked incredible in the first round—absolutely picking him apart, chopping the calf kick the whole round. By the end of that first round, his face was all busted up, his leg was busted up. And Izzy… he got caught in the second round. Anybody can get caught with a big punch. But yeah… surprised by it? No. Anybody can get caught.”

While White and others have accepted Adesanya’s defeat, the former champion himself faces mounting pressure at 35—an age that often defines a fighter’s legacy. For some, it’s the turning point for a historic comeback. For others, it marks the beginning of the end. Despite the setback, the former two-time champion isn’t making any rushed decisions.

For now, he intends to take a break, focus on recovery, and support his teammates in their upcoming fights. However, he has already hinted that a return to the octagon may be on the horizon.

Sean Strickland advises Israel Adesanya “to continue” despite legacy concerns

The stakes are high for the middleweight division this week in Australia, as Dricus Du Plessis gets set to defend his 185-pound title against Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated rematch. Leading up to the fight, ‘Tarzan’, never one to hold back, directed sharp words at both Du Plessis and a potential future opponent, Khamzat Chimaev. However, the conversation took an unexpected turn when Israel Adesanya’s name was brought up during the press conference.

Despite his reputation for brash trash talk and heated rivalries, Sean Strickland showed an unusual level of respect for Izzy, offering words of encouragement rather than criticism. Reflecting on Adesanya’s career, he said, “At the end of the day, Izzy’s made his legacy. He made his legacy. If you want to continue to fight, continue to fight. But you’ve done what you wanted to do. You don’t really have to prove anything. You’re a lasting name in the sport. You’ve chiseled your name in it, no shame. Getting older, it happens, you know?”

Strickland’s remarks caught many by surprise, considering the fierce rivalry he shared with Israel Adesanya. The two clashed at UFC 293 in 2023 in a fight fueled by bad blood and heated exchanges—a fight that ultimately marked the beginning of the Nigerian-Kiwi’s downturn. Given their history, the former champ’s respectful words stood in stark contrast to their past animosity, making his comments all the more intriguing.

Izzy’s future remains uncertain as he approaches his 36th birthday this July. While some have defied the odds, evolving their game and reclaiming championship glory, others have struggled to keep up with the sport’s relentless pace, signaling the twilight of their careers. Can Adesanya adapt, overcome his recent setbacks, and make a triumphant return? Or are we witnessing the final chapters of his legendary run? Share your thoughts below.