Daniel Cormier Believes Israel Adesanya Still Has a Lot to Offer Despite Recent Losses and Age

Daniel Cormier offers insight into why Israel Adesanya can still compete at a high level in the UFC.

Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier - Image credit @Daniel Cormier Youtube

Israel Adesanya has faced a tough period in his career, having suffered three straight losses — a streak that has some fans wondering if the former UFC middleweight champion’s time at the top has come to an end. After his latest defeat, a second-round knockout to rising contender Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia, speculation about his future is running high. But UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier isn’t quite ready to write him off just yet.

In a recent video posted to his YouTube channel, Cormier shared his thoughts on Adesanya’s potential return to the Octagon. While acknowledging Adesanya’s struggles, Cormier offered a hopeful perspective on the fighter’s ability to still compete at a high level.

Could A Return to the Octagon Be in Adesanya’s Future?

“I believe that Adesanya is done fighting for titles, but what I do not believe is that Adesanya is done as a fighter,” Cormier shared.

He pointed out that despite the knockout loss to Imavov, there were glimpses of Adesanya’s former brilliance during the fight. Cormier noted that in the first round, there was enough evidence to show that Adesanya can still compete with the best.

“But in that first round I saw enough to say he can still compete,” Cormier explained. “He looked fast, he looked sharp, but it’s not the speed that’s gone from Adesanya. It’s the ability to see things coming, that quickness, the vision, and when you get hit as you get older, you go down.”

Despite the loss, Cormier believes Adesanya still possesses the physical gifts to be a competitive force in the UFC, even though his title-chasing days may be behind him.

Adesanya Still Holds Value in the UFC

While Adesanya might not be eyeing another title shot anytime soon, Cormier believes he still has a lot to offer the UFC. The veteran fighter suggested that Adesanya could thrive in less demanding, three-round bouts, where the pressure to perform over five rounds wouldn’t be as intense.

“What I saw in round one was enough for me to believe that he could still compete. What I do believe, though, is that Israel Adesanya has earned the right to fight lesser competition right now but also less rounds,” Cormier said.

“He could fight on co-main events and would still add value to a pay-per-view,” Cormier said, recognizing Adesanya’s star power and the draw he still has with fans. Despite his losses, Adesanya’s name alone brings value, and Cormier is confident that the middleweight can continue to contribute to the UFC’s success.

In fact, Cormier pointed out that despite his recent struggles, Adesanya continues to be one of the UFC’s top draws. “When you saw what he did last weekend, Saudi Arabia, sold out, big gate, now you know why Adesanya is still being put in those positions,” Cormier said, reflecting on the massive success of UFC Saudi Arabia and Adesanya’s role in the event.

As Adesanya moves forward in his career, it’s clear that he still has the potential to be a major figure in the UFC — even if his path to another title might look different. With Cormier’s support and a shift to different types of matchups, there’s still hope for “The Last Stylebender” to continue making his mark on the sport.

Published on February 4, 2025 at 1:34 pm
Stay up-to-date with the latest MMA news, rumors, and updates by following the RED Monster on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Also, don't forget to add MiddleEasy to your Google News feed Follow us on Google News for even more coverage.

Related

Leave a Comment