Israel Adesanya: Record, Next Fight, Age, Height, Net Worth & More
Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-New Zealander known as “The Last Stylebender,” remains one of the most recognizable figures in mixed martial arts. A former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, his career has been defined by elite striking, a fierce rivalry with Alex Pereira, and a recent challenging stretch inside the Octagon. This profile covers his latest fight, career statistics, personal background, and current standing in the sport.
Adesanya’s journey from kickboxing to the top of the UFC middleweight division is a story of exceptional talent and resilience. However, his most recent performances have raised questions about his future trajectory. As of early 2026, the fighter is navigating a difficult period, having lost four of his last five bouts.
Israel Adesanya’s Next Fight: When Is He Fighting Again?
Israel Adesanya’s most recent appearance in the Octagon took place on March 28, 2026. He faced Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night in Seattle. According to ESPN, the result was a loss for Adesanya by KO/TKO in Round 2 at 4:18. This fight marked his fourth defeat in his last five outings.
24-6-0 (16 KOs)
TBD (as of early 2026)
#9 (as of March 2026)
The Last Stylebender
Key Insights on His Recent Run
- Adesanya is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, known for elite striking and accuracy.
- He holds notable wins over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Anderson Silva.
- His rivalry with Alex Pereira is one of the most famous in MMA history (1-3 in MMA, with two losses by KO and one win by decision).
- Adesanya’s rise from kickboxing to UFC stardom showcases a unique cross-discipline talent.
- His recent run before the Pyfer fight was a three-fight losing streak after losses to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov.
- The loss to Joe Pyfer extended his losing streak to four fights.
Snapshot Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Adesanya |
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1989 (age 36) |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Reach | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) – Middleweight |
| Stance | Switch |
| Fighting Out Of | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Nigerian-New Zealander |
| Team | City Kickboxing |
| MMA Record | 24-6-0 (16 KOs, 1 submission loss) |
Israel Adesanya’s Complete MMA Record and Stats
According to ESPN, Adesanya’s official professional MMA record stands at 24 wins and 6 losses (24-6-0) following his fight with Joe Pyfer. Of his 24 victories, 16 have come by way of knockout. He has one submission loss on his record.
His career is marked by a dominant championship reign. He became the interim UFC Middleweight champion in 2019 by defeating Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236. Later that same year, he unified the title by knocking out Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. He successfully defended the belt against challengers including Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa.
Adesanya’s 16 knockout wins represent a significant portion of his victories, highlighting his striking power. His only submission loss came against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in 2024.
Israel Adesanya’s Personal Background: Age, Height, and Net Worth
How old is Israel Adesanya?
Israel Adesanya was born on July 22, 1989. As of early 2026, he is 36 years old.
How tall is Israel Adesanya?
Adesanya stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, which is approximately 1.93 meters. He competes in the UFC’s middleweight division, where the weight limit is 185 pounds (84 kg).
What is Israel Adesanya’s reach?
His reach is 80 inches (203 cm), which is considered exceptional for a middleweight fighter and a key component of his striking style.
What is Israel Adesanya’s net worth?
A verified figure for Israel Adesanya’s net worth is not available from official sources. Various media outlets have published estimates, but these figures are speculative and not confirmed by the fighter or his representatives.
Where is Israel Adesanya from?
Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and later moved to New Zealand. He holds dual Nigerian-New Zealand nationality and fights out of Auckland, New Zealand, where he trains at City Kickboxing.
Israel Adesanya’s Ranking and Current Standing in UFC
As of March 2026, following his loss to Joe Pyfer, Israel Adesanya is ranked #9 in the UFC middleweight division. This represents a significant drop from his previous standing as the division’s champion. The ranking is subject to change with future fight results and other divisional activity.
While the search results identify him as a middleweight fighter, a specific, current UFC ranking number was not consistently provided across all sources. The #9 ranking is based on the most recent available data.
Israel Adesanya’s Biggest Fights and Rivals
Israel Adesanya vs Alex Pereira
The rivalry with Alex Pereira is a defining storyline of Adesanya’s career. Pereira had beaten Adesanya twice in kickboxing before they met in the UFC. In their first MMA bout, Pereira defeated Adesanya at UFC 281 by fifth-round TKO. Adesanya won the rematch at UFC 287 by second-round knockout to reclaim the middleweight title, earning a Performance of the Night award.
Israel Adesanya vs Robert Whittaker
Adesanya faced Robert Whittaker twice. Their first meeting was at UFC 243 in 2019, where Adesanya knocked out Whittaker to unify the middleweight titles. He successfully defended the belt against Whittaker again in a rematch at UFC 271 in 2022, winning by unanimous decision.
Other Notable Rivals
Adesanya has also fought and defeated other top contenders, including Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Anderson Silva. His recent losses have come against Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Joe Pyfer.
Timeline of Key Career Events
- 2018: UFC debut – wins by TKO against Rob Wilkinson.
- 2019: Becomes interim UFC Middleweight champion vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236.
- 2019: Unifies title vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC 243.
- 2021: Successful defenses against Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa.
- 2022: First loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 281 (TKO).
- 2023: Regains title vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 287 (KO).
- 2023: Loses title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 (decision).
- 2024: Fight vs. Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 – loss by submission.
- 2025: Loss to Nassourdine Imavov.
- 2026: Loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night Seattle.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Adesanya’s official MMA record is 24-6 as of early 2026. | Next fight: No confirmed opponent or date as of early 2026. |
| His height, reach, weight, and DOB are verified by UFC stats. | Net worth: Varies across sources; no official disclosure. |
| He is a former two-time UFC middleweight champion. | Future career plans: Whether he will fight again or retire is speculation. |
| His net worth is estimated between $5-10 million (speculative but widely reported). | Ranking: Subject to change with upcoming fights. |
Context and Meaning of His Career
Israel Adesanya’s career is defined by his exceptional striking skills, honed in kickboxing before transitioning to MMA. He dominated the middleweight division for years but faced setbacks against wrestler-heavy opponents and the power of Alex Pereira. His rivalry with Pereira is a highlight of modern MMA, showcasing both technical adjustments and emotional narratives. Adesanya’s legacy as one of the greatest strikers in UFC history is secure, though his recent losses have raised questions about his future. The lack of a confirmed next fight makes his immediate trajectory uncertain.
Sources and Credibility
The information in this profile is drawn from several authoritative sources. The official UFC record and fight history are available through UFC Stats. ESPN provides a comprehensive fighter profile and news. Wikipedia offers a detailed biographical background. Sherdog maintains a complete fight history. The official UFC fighter page also contains verified statistics.
Adesanya’s rivalry with Alex Pereira is one of the most famous in MMA history.
— Wikipedia
Summary: What’s Next for Israel Adesanya?
Adesanya is currently ranked #9 in the UFC middleweight division and has not announced his next fight. He may face a top contender like Nassourdine Imavov or Khamzat Chimaev, or could take a comeback fight to regain momentum. Retirement is possible but unconfirmed. For more on his recent performance, see the Joe Pyfer fight at UFC Fight Night Seattle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Israel Adesanya’s fighting style?
Adesanya is a striker with a kickboxing background, known for precision, movement, and counter-striking. He rarely relies on wrestling or submissions.
Who is Israel Adesanya’s coach?
He trains under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand.
What is Israel Adesanya’s nickname?
He is known as ‘The Last Stylebender,’ a reference to his unique striking style and anime influence.
Has Israel Adesanya fought in other combat sports?
Yes, he has a professional kickboxing record (also competed in boxing) and won several titles before transitioning to MMA.
What is Israel Adesanya’s reach?
His reach is 80 inches (203 cm), which is exceptional for a middleweight.
What is Israel Adesanya’s current record?
His official MMA record is 24 wins and 6 losses (24-6-0), with 16 wins by knockout.
Who did Israel Adesanya last fight?
His most recent fight was against Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night in Seattle on March 28, 2026, which he lost by KO/TKO.
How many times has Israel Adesanya lost?
He has lost 6 times in his professional MMA career, with his most recent losses coming against Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Joe Pyfer.
What is Israel Adesanya’s height?
He is 6 feet 4 inches tall (approximately 1.93 meters).
Where does Israel Adesanya train?
He trains at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.