Watching Israel Adesanya walk to the Octagon used to feel like watching a coronation. It was inevitable. But lately, things have been weird. If you caught Israel Adesanya last fight against Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025, you saw a version of the "Last Stylebender" that most fans aren't used to seeing.
He lost. Again.
It wasn't a long, grueling five-round war of attrition like the battle with Kelvin Gastelum. It wasn't a shocking upset like the Sean Strickland masterclass. This was different. Nassourdine Imavov, the "Sniper" from France, basically took the legend out in the second round.
Thirty seconds. That's all it took in the second frame for a barrage of punches to end the night at the anb Arena in Riyadh. For a guy who used to look untouchable, seeing Izzy stopped by TKO was a massive gut punch to the MMA community.
The Reality of Israel Adesanya Last Fight vs. Imavov
Honestly, the Riyadh crowd was stunned. Heading into that February 1st event, the narrative was all about redemption. Izzy had already dropped a heartbreaker to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 and that weirdly stagnant fight against Strickland. We all thought he’d bounce back against Imavov.
He didn't.
Imavov looked sharp, fast, and completely unimpressed by the legacy across the cage. When the first round started, Izzy tried to find his rhythm with those trademark leg kicks and feints. He looked okay. Not great, but okay. Then the second round happened. Imavov found a home for a heavy shot, realized Adesanya was hurt, and didn't let him off the hook.
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The ref stepped in at the 0:30 mark of Round 2.
This loss marked the first time in Adesanya's career that he's lost three fights in a row. It's a surreal stat for a man who once defended the middleweight title five times and seemed destined to chase down Anderson Silva's records.
Why the Dricus du Plessis Loss Still Stings
To understand where Izzy is now, you have to look back at the fight before Riyadh. That was the grudge match at UFC 305 in Perth.
That was supposed to be the "real" comeback.
For three rounds, it was actually a classic. Adesanya looked like the old version of himself. He was ripping body shots, moving his head, and making Dricus look a bit clumsy. Most people had Izzy up on the scorecards going into the fourth.
Then, the "DDP magic" happened.
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Dricus is a chaotic fighter. He looks tired, he looks awkward, and then suddenly, he’s on your back. He caught Izzy with a left hand that rattled him, dragged him down, and locked in a rear-naked choke. Izzy tapped. It was the first time he’d ever been submitted in the UFC.
"I was winning until I wasn't," Adesanya said after the fight.
It’s a simple quote, but it basically sums up the last two years of his career. The elite skill is still there, but the "invincibility" has completely evaporated.
Is Age Finally Catching Up?
Izzy is 36 now. In the lower weight classes, that's practically ancient, but even at middleweight, the speed starts to go.
Analysts like Paul Felder and even legends like Khabib Nurmagomedov have weighed in on his recent slide. The consensus is a bit split. Some think his reflexes are just a millisecond slower, which is a death sentence for a counter-striker who relies on "Matrix" movements. Others think the years of active title defenses—fighting three or four times a year—simply burned him out.
Look at the stats.
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- He’s 24-5 now.
- He's lost four of his last six fights.
- He has zero wins since knocking out Alex Pereira in early 2023.
That is a tough pill to swallow for a guy who was once the P4P king.
What’s Next: The Joe Pyfer Matchup
You’d think after three losses, a guy like Izzy might call it a day. He’s rich. He’s got the Puma deals and the property investments in New Zealand. He doesn't need the money.
But he's not leaving. Not yet.
The UFC just announced his next move. Israel Adesanya is set to headline UFC Seattle on March 28, 2026. He isn't getting a title shot this time. He isn't even fighting a Top 5 guy. He’s fighting Joe Pyfer.
Pyfer is a powerhouse. He's younger, he hits like a truck, and he’s ranked No. 15. This is a classic "gatekeeper" or "changing of the guard" fight. If Izzy wins, he proves he still belongs at the top. If he loses to a guy like Pyfer, the retirement talks are going to become deafening.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the tail end of this legendary career, keep an eye on these specific factors for his next outing:
- The First Exchange: Watch if Izzy still has that twitchy, reactive speed. If Pyfer lands early, it's a bad sign.
- The Takedown Defense: Dricus exposed some gaps in Izzy's grappling under pressure. Pyfer will likely try to exploit the same thing.
- The Mental State: Izzy seemed "relieved" after the DDP loss because the pressure of being champion was gone. We need to see if he still has the "killer" instinct without a belt on the line.
The story of the Last Stylebender isn't over, but the climax is definitely here. Whether he can reinvent himself one last time or if Riyadh was the beginning of the end, we'll find out in Seattle.
If you want to stay ahead of the game, start tracking Joe Pyfer's recent tapes against Kelvin Gastelum and Abus Magomedov. It'll give you a clear picture of the power Izzy is about to deal with.