Israel Adesanya has been the cornerstone of the UFC 185lbs division in a post-Anderson Silva era. The former 2-time division kingpin has dazzled fans with his fluid striking, lightning-fast footwork, and unpredictable style that left opponents and viewers alike in awe. But now, as he approaches his mid-thirties, many are starting to wonder, is the clock ticking on his reign? Could the end of his career be looming just ahead? It’s a thought that seems inevitable given his recent struggles, but could we be seeing the twilight of Adesanya’s career after all?

It’s a fascinating crossroads in his journey. Fans will be watching, waiting to see if he can come through when the stakes are highest. Make no mistake, Izzy’s upcoming fight with Nassourdine Imavov could determine the trajectory of his future in the UFC. Adesanya will still need to show that he has the fire to keep up with the young guns on the rise. Let’s dive to see what his career can look like in 2025!

At 35, Israel Adesanya is past his prime

Let’s address the elephant in the room, Israel Adesanya is 35 years old. At that age, he’s no longer the fresh, hungry prospect who burst onto the UFC scene in 2018. While age might just be a number for some, in the UFC, it’s a major factor. We all have witnessed how fighters, no matter how great, start to slow down once they hit their mid-thirties.

Michael Bisping and Georges St-Pierre, both legends in their own right, eventually had to hang up their gloves after the wear and tear of a long career. Even Leon Edwards, now 33, has openly discussed considering retirement at 37. The body can only take so much punishment before it begins to break down.

Does this mean that Israel Adesanya is done? Not necessarily. But history isn’t kind to fighters who stick around too long. MMA, after all, is a young man’s game. The former middleweight champ, despite his impressive skills and past victories, now faces the inevitable question, How much longer can he maintain his elite status?

Sure, there are exceptions, but we can’t ignore the fact that Adesanya’s body, after years of rigorous training and combat, might be nearing its limit. The real question is whether he pushes through it. Or will the aging process catch up with him quicker than expected?

It hasn’t been well since the Alex Pereira KO

One can’t discuss Adesanya’s journey without acknowledging his deeply personal and competitive rivalry with Alex Pereira. Over the years, the duo have faced off four times, twice in kickboxing and twice in MMA, making it an undeniably defining chapter in Adesanya’s career. In 2016, Pereira handed Adesanya his first loss with a decision victory in their first kickboxing match.

A year later, ‘Poatan’ knocked him out in a brutal KO. Fast forward to 2022, and their UFC 281 fight saw the Brazilian once again claim victory, this time with a late KO to seize the middleweight title. Then, in their 2023 rematch at UFC 287, Izzy finally avenged his earlier defeats, knocking out Pereira to regain his belt.

To lose that title to an old rival in the same brutal fashion that had plagued him in the past undoubtedly left a psychological scar. That knockout loss to Pereira in 2022 is perhaps the most significant moment in Adesanya’s career. Before that, he was untouchable, the middleweight king with five title defenses. His confidence took a hit, and since then, his performances have been shaky at best. This was nowhere more evident in his next defense against Sean Strickland, where Izzy looked like a pale shell of his former self.

Additionally, he got submitted for the first time in his career against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, adding another dent in an otherwise stellar arsenal. But it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the psychological impact of such a devastating loss.

The Pereira KO exposed a vulnerability in Adesanya’s game that many didn’t expect to see. The former champion, once the embodiment of invincibility, struggled to regain his momentum. While we’ve glimpsed flashes of the fighter we once admired, he hasn’t quite returned to the same dominant form.

So, what’s the takeaway here? Was that knockout the beginning of his decline, or can Adesanya bounce back to reclaim his former glory? Is it possible for him to overcome that mental scar, or has it already set the stage for his fall from grace?

Israel Adesanya has more to lose in his next outing

The pressure on Adesanya is higher than ever before. His next fight could be the most important of his career, and it will determine the trajectory of his future in the UFC. Facing a rising star, who is currently ranked #5 in the middleweight division, Adesanya has everything to lose. For the unversed, this will mark Izzy’s first appearance on a Fight Night card in six years. And this is pretty uncanny for a fighter of Adesanya’s caliber. Moreover, a defeat to Nassourdine Imavov would likely end his chances of ever fighting for a title again.

Fighters like Khamzat Chimaev and Caio Borralho are climbing up the ranks, and a loss here would send Izzy further down the middleweight pecking order. Even a win, though, wouldn’t guarantee him a direct path back to a title shot. Adesanya’s route to a championship bout isn’t as clear-cut as it once was. If he can’t reclaim his old form, he could find himself on the outside looking in.

While a fresh wave of contenders takes center stage. His legacy is on the line, and it’s up to him to prove that he still belongs at the top of the middleweight division. What do you think? Can Israel Adesanya reclaim his spot at the top? Or are we witnessing the decline of one of the UFC’s most iconic fighters? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!