Adesanya Looks to Prove Himself Against Pyfer at UFC Seattle

The former middleweight champion seeks to bounce back from three straight losses in the main event.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:37am

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UFC Seattle's main event featured former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya taking on the up-and-coming Joe Pyfer. Adesanya, now 36, was looking to prove he is still a viable contender in the 185lb division after suffering three consecutive losses. Pyfer, ranked #14, had a chance to jump into the top 10 with a win over the former champ.

Why it matters

Adesanya is undoubtedly a star in the UFC, but his recent struggles have raised questions about his future as a top contender. A win over Pyfer could shoot him back to the top of the division, especially with a potential rematch against Sean Strickland on the horizon. For Pyfer, a victory would be a major career-defining moment as he looks to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the middleweight division.

The details

Israel Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, was looking to bounce back from three straight losses against Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov. He took on the #14 ranked Joe Pyfer, who had stumbled in his first step up in competition against Jack Hermansson but had since notched three straight wins, including one over Adesanya's former foe Kelvin Gastelum.

  • UFC Seattle took place on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Israel Adesanya

A former two-time UFC middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer who is looking to prove he is still a viable contender in the 185lb division.

Joe Pyfer

A rising middleweight prospect ranked #14 who had a chance to jump into the top 10 with a win over the former champion Adesanya.

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What’s next

The winner of the Adesanya vs. Pyfer main event could potentially be in line for a big fight, with a rematch between Adesanya and Sean Strickland or a matchup against rising star Khamzat Chimaev on the horizon.

The takeaway

This fight was a crucial moment for Adesanya's career, as he looked to prove he is still a top contender in the middleweight division. A win could set him up for a high-profile fight, while a loss would raise serious questions about his future at the top of the UFC. For Pyfer, a victory would be a career-defining moment as he looks to establish himself as a legitimate threat in the 185lb weight class.