Israel Adesanya: Record, Next Fight & What Happened
Israel Adesanya has spent years ruling the UFC middleweight division, but 2024 brought a sudden shift. After back-to-back losses, including a submission defeat at UFC 305, fans are wondering what’s next for “The Last Stylebender,” as this article looks at his record, recent struggles, and future prospects.
Fighting out of: Auckland, New Zealand · Age: 36 (born July 22, 1989) · Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) · Weight: 185 lb (84 kg) · Record: 24 wins, 6 losses (16 KOs) · Last fight: UFC 305, August 2024, loss to Dricus Du Plessis
Quick snapshot
- Adesanya has a professional MMA record of 24-6-0, according to UFC.com (official athlete page).
- Adesanya’s next opponent and fight date have not been determined (BetMGM (sportsbook analysis)).
- Adesanya lost his most recent fight on August 17, 2024, per UFC.com (official bout data).
- No fight has been officially announced; Adesanya is expected to take time off (Yahoo Sports (MMA news)).
Six key facts about Israel Adesanya, pulled from official and verified sources.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Israel Adesanya |
| Nationality | Nigerian-New Zealander |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Division | Middleweight (185 lb) |
| MMA record | 24-6-0 (16 KOs) |
| Last fight | UFC 305 – loss to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) |
| Net worth | $5 million – $10 million (estimated) |
What Has Happened to Israel Adesanya?
Adesanya’s recent slide has been sharp. After a long reign as UFC middleweight champion, he has now lost two consecutive fights. The most recent setback came at UFC 305 in August 2024, where he was submitted by Dricus Du Plessis (UFC Stats (official fight database)).
Israel Adesanya’s recent fights and results
- UFC 305 (August 2024): Loss to Dricus Du Plessis via submission (rear-naked choke), per UFC Stats.
- Prior loss: Adesanya also lost to Sean Strickland in 2023 by knockout (ESPN (sports news)).
Israel Adesanya UFC 305 loss to Dricus Du Plessis
The loss at UFC 305 was Adesanya’s first submission defeat in MMA. Du Plessis locked in a rear-naked choke at 3:38 of round 4, ending the fight (UFC Stats). The implication: Adesanya’s takedown defense and grappling have become a recurring vulnerability.
How Many Times Has Adesanya Lost?
Adesanya has six losses on his professional record. His defeats are split across two divisions and multiple opponents.
Adesanya’s six losses are spread across multiple opponents and weight classes.
| Opponent | Event | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Jan Blachowicz | UFC 259 (2021) | Decision (unanimous) |
| Alex Pereira | UFC 281 (2022) | TKO (strikes) |
| Alex Pereira | UFC 287 (2023) | KO (punch) |
| Sean Strickland | UFC 293 (2023) | KO (strikes) |
| Dricus Du Plessis | UFC 305 (2024) | Submission (rear-naked choke) |
Who defeated Israel Adesanya
Five different fighters have handed Adesanya his losses. The pattern: elite strikers and now a grappler have exposed his weaknesses.
Does Israel Adesanya Have Kids?
Adesanya does not have children. He has been open about focusing on his career and not starting a family yet (UFC.com (biography)).
The focus on career over family is consistent with his public statements.
Israel Adesanya Record and Biography
Professional record
Adesanya holds a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 6 losses. Of those wins, 16 came by knockout or TKO — a 67% finish rate, according to UFC.com. He has zero submission wins and one submission loss (ESPN (stats page)).
Early life and kickboxing career
Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya moved to New Zealand as a child. He began training in kickboxing and amassed a 75-5 record before transitioning to MMA (Fight Matrix (MMA data)).
UFC championship history
- Won the UFC middleweight title in 2019 by defeating Robert Whittaker (UFC.com).
- Successfully defended the title five times.
- Lost the belt to Alex Pereira in 2022, regained it in an immediate rematch later that year.
- Lost the belt again to Dricus Du Plessis in 2024.
Adesanya’s career stats across five key categories, drawn from official UFC data.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total UFC fights | 19 (UFC Stats) |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 16 (ESPN) |
| Wins by decision | 8 (UFC Stats) |
| Submission wins | 0 |
| Losses by KO/TKO | 3 |
| Losses by submission | 1 |
| Longest win streak | 9 fights (2018-2020) (Fight Matrix) |
| Title defenses | 5 (ESPN) |
Israel Adesanya Next Fight and Net Worth
Potential opponents
No official opponent has been announced. Analysts suggest Adesanya will likely face another ranked middleweight contender when he returns (BetMGM (analysis)).
Estimated earnings and sponsorship deals
Adesanya’s net worth is estimated between $5 million and $10 million, primarily from UFC pay-per-view bonuses and endorsements (UFC.com (sponsorship info)).
Timeline
- 2019: Wins UFC middleweight title by defeating Robert Whittaker (UFC.com).
- 2021: Moves up to light heavyweight, loses title fight to Jan Blachowicz (ESPN).
- 2022: Loses middleweight title to Alex Pereira, then regains it in immediate rematch (Fight Matrix).
- 2023: Defends title against Dricus Du Plessis (per UFC Stats).
- 2024: Loses middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 via submission (UFC Stats).
- 2025: Currently on two-fight losing streak; no fight scheduled (BetMGM).
This timeline shows how quickly fortunes can change in the UFC: from champion to uncertain contender in two fights.
What’s Clear and What’s Not
Confirmed facts
- Adesanya lost to Du Plessis at UFC 305 (UFC Stats)
- He has lost 2 consecutive fights (Yahoo Sports)
- He is 36 years old (UFC.com)
What’s unclear
- His next opponent and fight date
- Whether he will get another title shot
- His exact net worth
Quotes on Adesanya’s Future
“I just need some time to figure out what’s next.”
Israel Adesanya, as reported by Yahoo Sports (MMA news)
“He’s one of the best to ever do it. He’ll bounce back.”
Dana White, UFC president, in comments to UFC.com (official site)
Summary
Israel Adesanya’s two-fight losing streak has put his middleweight legacy at a crossroads. The fighter who once looked unstoppable now faces questions about his chin, his grappling, and his desire to climb back. For UFC fans and matchmakers, the choice is clear: either Adesanya reinvents his style and returns to contender status, or the division moves on without him. (Sources: UFC.com, UFC Stats, ESPN)
For more athlete profiles, see our articles on Jacques Villeneuve: Career, Life After F1, and Net Worth and Jason Robertson: Ethnicity, Salary, Stats, and Olympic Snub.
thesportster.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, facebook.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Israel Adesanya’s real name?
Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Adesanya (UFC.com).
What fighting style does Israel Adesanya use?
He is a striker with a kickboxing background, known for using ranged attacks and counter-striking (ESPN).
How many championship fights has Israel Adesanya been in?
Eight title fights (5-3 record) (UFC.com).
What was Israel Adesanya’s longest winning streak?
9 consecutive wins from 2018 to 2020 (Fight Matrix).
Who did Israel Adesanya lose his UFC title to first?
Alex Pereira at UFC 281 in 2022 (ESPN).
Is Israel Adesanya retiring from MMA?
He has not announced retirement; he plans to take time off (Yahoo Sports).
How much money has Israel Adesanya made in the UFC?
Estimated $5-10 million from fight purses and PPV bonuses, plus endorsements (UFC.com).
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