The Adesanya losing streak continues in devastating fashion. Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya fell to Joe Pyfer via second-round TKO at UFC Seattle on Saturday night, marking his fourth consecutive defeat inside the Octagon.
Adesanya, 36, entered the fight at Climate Pledge Arena desperately seeking his first win since knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023. The Nigerian-born New Zealander started strong, winning the opening round with sharp jabs and leg kicks while denying multiple Pyfer takedown attempts. But the fight turned violent in the second stanza.
Round two saw both fighters abandon technical striking for wild exchanges along the fence. Adesanya landed combinations, but Pyfer answered with heavy left hooks and right hands. After hurting the former champion, Pyfer dragged Adesanya to the canvas, secured mount, and unleashed relentless ground-and-pound. Referee Herb Dean stopped the bout at 4:18 of the second round.
The loss drops Adesanya to 1-5 in his past six appearances. His losing skid began with a unanimous decision defeat to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, followed by a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis and a first-round knockout by Nassourdine Imavov. Now Pyfer, ranked No. 14 entering the night, has added his name to the list.
Pyfer, 29, improved to 7-1 in the UFC and extended his winning streak to four. The Philadelphia native dedicated the victory to his faith, revealing he had nearly taken his own life weeks before the fight.
When asked post-fight if retirement was imminent, Adesanya interrupted and delivered a defiant message. “You keep going again and again and again. I’m not leaving,” he said. “You’ll never stop me. I might get beaten, but I’ll always remain undefeated”.
