Israel Adesanya is at a crossroads. In March 2026 the former two-time UFC middleweight champion was stopped by Joe Pyfer in the second round, his third defeat in a row, and fight fans everywhere are asking what comes next for the Last Stylebender.
Whatever the answer, his place in UFC history is secure. Two reigns as middleweight king, five straight title defences and one of the great rivalries of the modern era. Find more fighters in our UFC collection.
Israel Adesanya Fact File
| Full name | Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 22 July 1989 (age 37) |
| Place of birth | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Height / Reach | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) / 80 in (203 cm) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Nationality | Nigerian-New Zealander |
| Team | City Kickboxing (head coach Eugene Bareman) |
| MMA record | 24–6 |
| Nickname | The Last Stylebender, Izzy |
Career History
| Date | Event | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2018 | UFC 221 | Rob Wilkinson | Win, TKO (R2) – UFC debut |
| Apr 2019 | UFC 236 | Kelvin Gastelum | Win, decision – interim title |
| Oct 2019 | UFC 243 | Robert Whittaker | Win, KO (R2) – undisputed title |
| Mar 2021 | UFC 259 | Jan Błachowicz | Loss, decision (light heavyweight title) |
| Nov 2022 | UFC 281 | Alex Pereira | Loss, TKO (R5) |
| Apr 2023 | UFC 287 | Alex Pereira | Win, KO (R2) – regains title |
| Sep 2023 | UFC 293 | Sean Strickland | Loss, decision |
| Aug 2024 | UFC 305 | Dricus du Plessis | Loss, submission (R4) |
| Feb 2025 | UFC Fight Night | Nassourdine Imavov | Loss, TKO (R2) |
| Mar 2026 | UFC Fight Night | Joe Pyfer | Loss, TKO (R2) |
Selected UFC fights. His overall professional MMA record stands at 24 wins and 6 losses, alongside a 75–5 kickboxing record.
From Lagos to Auckland
Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on 22 July 1989 and moved to New Zealand as a teenager. He found his home at City Kickboxing under coach Eugene Bareman and built an outstanding career as a kickboxer, finishing with a 75–5 record, before turning his attention fully to mixed martial arts.
Celebrate the Stylebender's journey with our Israel Adesanya UFC Icon Frame Men's Hoodie.
The Rapid Rise to Gold
He made his UFC debut at UFC 221 in February 2018, stopping Rob Wilkinson in the second round, and climbed the rankings at remarkable speed. In April 2019 he won the interim middleweight title in a thrilling five-round war with Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236, earning Fight of the Night.
Six months later at UFC 243 in Melbourne, in front of a huge crowd, he knocked out Robert Whittaker in the second round to become undisputed champion. Show your support with our Israel Adesanya Men's T-Shirt.
Champion, Rival and Champion Again
Adesanya defended his belt five times, beating Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker in a rematch and Jared Cannonier. In between he moved up to challenge Jan Błachowicz for the light heavyweight title in 2021, suffering the first loss of his MMA career on points.
His great rival was Alex Pereira, who had beaten him twice in kickboxing. Pereira stopped him in the fifth round at UFC 281 to take the title, but in April 2023 at UFC 287 Adesanya produced a stunning second-round knockout to win it back. It remains one of the most dramatic moments in UFC history. Relive it with our Israel Adesanya 2 UFC Icon Frame Men's T-Shirt.
The Later Chapters
Adesanya lost the belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, then challenged Dricus du Plessis for the title at UFC 305 in 2024 but was submitted in the fourth round. Defeats to Nassourdine Imavov in 2025 and Joe Pyfer in 2026 followed. With eight middleweight title fight wins, only Anderson Silva has more in UFC history.
Honours
UFC Titles
- UFC Middleweight Champion (two reigns)
- Interim UFC Middleweight Champion (2019)
- Five successful defences in his first reign
Awards
- Six Performance of the Night bonuses
- Two Fight of the Night bonuses
Records
- Second-most middleweight title fight wins in UFC history (8)
- Kickboxing record of 75–5
Away From the Octagon
Adesanya is known for his love of anime and dance, both of which have featured in his creative walkouts. He remains a proud representative of both Nigeria and New Zealand.
FAQs
How old is Israel Adesanya?
Israel Adesanya was born on 22 July 1989, so he is 37 years old.
Where was Israel Adesanya born?
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and later moved to New Zealand.
How tall is Israel Adesanya?
He stands 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) with an 80-inch reach.
What is Israel Adesanya's MMA record?
His professional MMA record is 24 wins and 6 losses.
How many times did Adesanya defend his title?
He made five successful defences during his first reign as UFC middleweight champion.
How did Adesanya beat Alex Pereira?
At UFC 287 in April 2023 he knocked Pereira out in the second round to regain the middleweight title.
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Part of our Player Profiles series. Read next: Anderson Silva Career Story and Georges St-Pierre Career Story.
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