Living the worst phase of his career, with two consecutive defeats, Israel adesanya may be close to ending his journey as a fighter. Having not stepped into the octagon since August, when he was finished by Dricus Du Plessis, the Nigerian, who once had the aura of an unbeatable middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg), suggested that his career could be at an end.
In his appearance on the Flagrant podcast, Adesanya highlighted the importance of deciding the right time to retire, before physical and mental exhaustion forces him to stop unintentionally. He revealed that, when he was younger, he already imagined himself retiring at his age. Although he is still performing at a high level, the Nigerian made it clear that he plans to hang up his gloves in the coming years.
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“You have to finish the fight before the fight finishes you. I was like, in my early 20s, ‘When I’m 34, I’m out of this game.’ Now I’m 35. But I know I’m past the halfway point and I’m definitely a few years away, maybe three years. But who knows? I just know I don’t want to be fighting at 40,” Adesanya said.
Adesanya says he is happy with his achievements, but still not satisfied
After winning the middleweight title twice, Adesanya is proud of his achievements. The former champion reflects on the importance of appreciating what he has already accomplished in his career and suggests that if these achievements don't make him happy, nothing else will.
“I’ve said this before, with what I’ve done in this sport, a lot of people don’t even get to the belt, or even make it to the UFC. I did it twice. I’m still the only two-time middleweight champion. If what I’ve done doesn’t make me happy, what will?” said the former champion.
Although he is happy with his achievements, the fighter is still not completely satisfied with his career. This is because he considers himself an artist inside the octagon and wants to perform new techniques and movements in his fights.
“I’m happy, but I’m not satisfied. There are still some things I want to try, some moves I want to do. I’m looking forward to creating them. That’s the artist in me. Once again, submission! I know I’m going to submit a bastard. I know I’m going to get one of those,” concluded the Nigerian.
Adesanya is considered one of the biggest stars in the UFC. The fighter held the middleweight title from 2019 until 2022. He lost the belt to Alex Pereira in UFC 281, but regained it in the rematch five months later, before again losing it to Sean Strickland No. UFC 293.
The Nigerian's five successful title defenses place him behind only Anderson Silva in the history of the middleweight division.
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