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Israel Adesanya Admits Ego Keeps Him Fighting

2026-06-23 · Israel Adesanya · Player Focus

Israel Adesanya Admits Ego Keeps Him Fighting

Israel Adesanya admits his ego is keeping him from retiring from the UFC, despite dropping four straight fights and five of his last six, with four of those losses coming by finish.

What's driving Israel Adesanya to continue fighting?

The 36-year-old former middleweight champion told Demetrious Johnson on YouTube that his ego is tied into his career, and he doesn't want to rest on his past accomplishments. He has a record of 24-6 in the UFC, with a notable 9-0 start before moving up to light heavyweight.

How has Israel Adesanya's career unfolded?

Adesanya went on to win three more title defenses at middleweight before his wars against longtime rival Alex Pereira, which seemed to signal the beginning of the end. His most recent loss was a technical knockout to Joe Pyfer in Seattle, as he currently remains unbooked.

What's next for Israel Adesanya?

Adesanya's future in the UFC is uncertain, but he's determined to prove himself again, saying he knows what he can do still in the octagon. He's had a storied career, with notable wins and losses, including his bid to become double-champ against Jan Blachowicz at light heavyweight. And now, Adesanya is looking to bounce back from his recent losses and prove his doubters wrong. But for now, he's focused on his next move, and what that will be remains to be seen. So, Israel Adesanya's story is far from over, with the former champion looking to add new chapters to his legacy.

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