Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has dismissed the possibility of switching to boxing, despite his reputation as one of the most accomplished strikers in mixed martial arts.
The 36-year-old is currently on a three-fight losing streak and will enter his upcoming bout against Pyfer as the betting underdog for the first time in his professional career.
Adesanya addressed both his future and the state of the UFC middleweight division during an interview with Ariel Helwani, where he made it clear that a move to boxing is not part of his plans.
“I have my price… It’s a lot. The only people that can make it happen is Saudi (Arabia),” Adesanya said. “I never want to get tempted to do it (boxing). I wanna finish in Ultimate Fighting (Championship).”
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He explained that competing in boxing would limit his abilities as a fighter and take away the weapons that have defined his career.
“I don’t wanna get nerfed. I wanna fight with all my weapons,” he said. “I wanna be able to kick someone in the face if I have to… So, yeah. Nah.”
Adesanya holds a professional record of 24-5, with 16 knockout victories, and owns the second-longest winning streak in UFC middleweight history, behind only Anderson Silva. A former two-time champion, he remains one of the most influential figures the division has seen.
However, Adesanya was critical of the current state of the middleweight division, suggesting it has lost the excitement it once had.
“The middleweight division right now isn’t really the same as when I was in the game,” Adesanya said. “What was the last exciting thing at middleweight? Exciting, and people were talking about it…”
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He pointed to Khamzat Chimaev’s title win as the most recent moment that generated genuine interest.
“It’s good they have Khamzat as champion,” he said. “That was probably the last exciting thing, becoming champion.”
Reflecting on his own reign, Adesanya said his presence brought emotion and engagement to the division, whether fans supported him or not.
“I gave people someone to love. I gave some people someone to hate,” he said. “Gave them something to feel, whether they loved me or hated me.”
According to Adesanya, that emotional connection is now missing.
“Right now, it just feels bland,” he added. “Other divisions are way more exciting.”
As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, Adesanya remains adamant that he will finish where he belongs inside the Octagon, fighting with all his weapons intact.
