Don’t expect to see Israel Adesanya return to the Octagon anytime soon.
After losing the middleweight title for the second time in less than a year, ‘The Last Stylebender’ is determined to take some time off and heal after being the most active champion in the promotion’s 30-year history. In an interview with The Rock, Adesanya revealed that it was always his goal to pick up the pace and compete as often as possible before walking away from the sport altogether.
However, that type of activity has taken a significant toll on his body, particularly over the last year.
“What I’m gonna do now… 14 months, four fights as a champion. Find any other champion apart from me and Volk who’s as active like that. I’m the most active champion in UFC history,” Adesanya said. “I know I’m on the back end of my career so I want to do as many as I can because I know when I’m done with this, I’m going to miss it. I’m gonna miss this sh*t so I’m trying to do as much as I can. Then after this fight because again, 14 months and four fights… It’s not just the fights. It’s the training and everything.”
Israel Adesanya reveals he will take a break from fighting 👊🏻
Well deserved after the schedule he’s kept up as champion 🤯
— Combat Sports UK (@CombatSportsUK) October 13, 2023
Israel Adesanya Addresses Rumors of His Potential Retirement
In his last outing, Adesanya came up short against Sean Strickland at UFC 293, surrendering the 185-pound crown in a lopsided unanimous decision defeat. Looking back on the bout, the ‘Stylebender’ makes no excuses and is more than willing to give credit where credit is due.
Adesanya also addressed the possibility of retiring from the sport after becoming the only two-time middleweight titleholder in UFC history.
“I don’t make any excuses. Strickland caught me on the night. Was the better fighter on the night and he did his work well,” Adesanya said. “He had a good team behind him. I give him his props, but now I’m going to take time to look after myself. I’m not gonna fight for a long time. I’m definitely not going to retire because I know me.
“If I did, I’m fine. I don’t need to prove anything else, but I know what I can do and I know what I can change in my lifestyle to make my body adapt to where I need to be. I’m going to heal myself up. You won’t see me fight for a long time.”
During his five-year run with the UFC, Israel Adesanya has fought an incredible 16 times with 11 of those bouts being five-round title fights. He has also never fought less than twice in a calendar year, even when the world was largely shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m just gonna take my time, heal, and then when I come back, f*cking run for the hills,” Adesanya added.
Watch the full interview below:
