Former Champ Adesanya Faces Tough Test Against Pyfer at UFC Seattle

Can Israel Adesanya snap his three-fight losing streak against rising contender Joe Pyfer?

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:03am

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Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will look to end his recent skid when he takes on surging contender Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday night. Adesanya has lost his last three fights, raising questions about whether the 33-year-old is past his prime. Pyfer, meanwhile, is looking to capitalize on this opportunity and cement his status as a legitimate threat in the 185-pound division.

Why it matters

This fight represents a critical juncture in Adesanya's legendary career. A loss to the #14-ranked Pyfer could signal the end of Adesanya's time among the elite middleweights in the UFC. On the other hand, a win for Adesanya would quiet the doubters and show he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The details

Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, has hit a rough patch lately, dropping his last three fights. He'll look to get back on track against the surging Pyfer, who is coming off an impressive submission win over Nassourdine Imavov in his last outing. Pyfer will look to use his power and grappling skills to try and hand Adesanya his fourth straight defeat.

  • The UFC Seattle main event is scheduled for Saturday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Israel Adesanya

A former two-time UFC middleweight champion who is looking to snap a three-fight losing streak and prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Joe Pyfer

A rising middleweight contender who is looking to cement his status as a legitimate threat in the 185-pound division by defeating the former champion Adesanya.

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What they’re saying

“I'd imagine that this fight will look something like Sean O'Malley vs Song Yadong from UFC 324, with Adesanya showing the levels but never quite fully getting into fifth gear. If he can't beat Joe Pyfer, he'll need to have a serious look at where his career stands. But he should, and I think he'll win by unanimous decision.”

— Donagh Corby

“I think Israel Adesanya is on an expected decline at the back end of his career, and after over a year off, it's hard to imagine he comes back looking like his old self. Having said that, Joe Pyfer isn't someone I would regard as an elite middleweight, and Izzy should have the tools to break down the Pyfer wall.”

— Jamie Theodosi

What’s next

If Adesanya is victorious, he could potentially work his way back into title contention in the middleweight division. A loss, however, would likely signal the end of his reign as one of the top middleweights in the UFC.

The takeaway

This fight represents a critical juncture in the career of former champion Israel Adesanya. A win over the surging Joe Pyfer would quiet the doubters and show Adesanya still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, while a loss could spell the end of his time among the elite middleweights in the UFC.