Israel Adesanya Discusses Retirement Plans and Legacy
Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, has shared insights into his retirement plans, signaling that the end of his storied MMA career may be approaching. At 35, Adesanya last fought at UFC 305 in August, where he suffered a fourth-round submission loss to Dricus du Plessis. This marked his second consecutive defeat after losing his title to Sean Strickland the previous year.
Speaking on the FLAGRANT Podcast, Adesanya reflected on his achievements, highlighting his status as the only two-time UFC middleweight champion. While he is unbooked for a return, he has been linked to a possible bout with Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in 2024.
Adesanya acknowledged the physical and mental toll of the sport, emphasizing the importance of stepping away at the right time:
“You’ve got to break up with fighting before fighting breaks up with you,” he said. While uncertain about the exact timeline, Adesanya estimated he might retire in about three years, firmly stating he does not see himself fighting at 40.
Despite the challenges, Adesanya remains proud of his legacy and is focused on achieving a few remaining goals before walking away from the Octagon. “I’m happy but I’m not content,” he concluded.
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