Sports · Combat Sports · 2 hrs ago
Israel Adesanya signs contract for next UFC fight after four straight losses
Israel Adesanya says he has signed a contract for his next UFC fight.
The former middleweight champion has lost four fights in a row and has not won since defeating Alex Pereira in April 2023.
His losses came against Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Joe Pyfer.
Adesanya has not named his next opponent, though he has been linked to a fight with Sharabutdin Magomedov.
He said the past three years had not been enjoyable and that he had felt lost.
He says he has found his motivation again and is eager to compete.
His return will give him a chance to end the longest losing streak of his professional MMA career, but the sources do not say when or against whom he will fight.
Israel Adesanya says he has signed contracts for his next UFC fight after four consecutive losses.
He announced the signing on the Precision Podcast but did not name his opponent.
Adesanya said he has regained his motivation and is eager to compete again.
He has not won since knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023.
Adesanya has been linked to a fight against Sharabutdin Magomedov, possibly at an event in Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Israel Adesanya, a former UFC middleweight champion.
- What
- He says he has signed contracts for his next UFC fight after four straight losses.
- When
- He announced the signing on the Precision Podcast; he said the contracts were signed the day before.
- Where
- The fight location is not confirmed. Adesanya has been linked to an event in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Adesanya said he has regained his motivation and wants to return to competition.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Adesanya reclaimed the middleweight title by knocking out Alex Pereira at UFC 287.
Adesanya lost to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Joe Pyfer.
Adesanya most recently lost to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle.
Adesanya left his long-time gym, City Kickboxing.
Adesanya said he signed contracts for his next fight.
- Losing streak
- Four consecutive losses
- Last win
- April 2023, against Alex Pereira at UFC 287
- Most recent opponent
- Joe Pyfer
- Next opponent
- Not named by Adesanya
- Possible matchup
- Sharabutdin Magomedov
- Possible event location
- Saudi Arabia
3 sources
What people are saying
We just signed the contract yesterday
There will be blood in the sand, and it's not going to be me.
I've been lost, so I'm found again.