Israel Adesanya, once the dominant force in the UFC middleweight division, is now at a crossroads. With back-to-back losses—first to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and then to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305—his status as an elite fighter is being called into question. After years of ruling the division, his reign is facing serious challenges. But is this truly the end of an era for Adesanya, or is it just a case of unfortunate stylistic matchups?

In this deep dive, we’ll analyze his recent performances, assess whether age is catching up to him, and explore the key factors behind his losses.

The Rise and Reign of “The Last Stylebender”

From 2018 to 2022, Adesanya was practically untouchable. His striking, footwork, and fight IQ were second to none. He dispatched some of the greatest middleweights of all time, including Robert Whittaker twice, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori. His ability to control range with precise kicks and counterstrikes made him one of the most difficult puzzles to solve inside the Octagon.

However, no champion remains undefeated forever. Eventually, every dominant reign encounters fighters who crack the code. The question is, has the division finally caught up to Adesanya’s style?

Is Age Becoming a Factor?

Adesanya is now 35 years old. In lighter weight classes, this would typically be considered the beginning of the end, as speed and reflexes tend to decline with age. However, in the middleweight division, many fighters have remained competitive well into their late 30s.

• Michael Bisping won the UFC middleweight title at 37.
• Anderson Silva was 38 when he finally lost his belt to Chris Weidman.

With this in mind, it’s unfair to say that Adesanya is past his prime simply because of his age. However, his high level of activity over the years might have taken a toll on his body. Unlike some fighters who take long breaks between fights, Adesanya has been one of the most active champions in recent history.

Sean Strickland Loss: A Tactical Disaster?

Adesanya’s loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 shocked the MMA world. Going into the fight, most analysts expected him to dismantle Strickland with his superior striking. Instead, Strickland put on a masterclass in pressure fighting.

With relentless forward movement, Strickland cut off the cage and never allowed Adesanya to establish his rhythm. He blocked kicks effectively, forced Adesanya into uncomfortable exchanges, and even dropped him badly in the first round.

Despite being a high-level kickboxer, Adesanya has always had a weakness against strong boxers who push forward aggressively. Strickland’s tight guard and non-stop jab completely neutralized Adesanya’s usual strategy of controlling range.

The fight ended in a lopsided decision, with Strickland winning 49-46 on all scorecards. This loss raised serious questions about whether Adesanya was declining or if Strickland simply had the perfect style to beat him.

The Dricus Du Plessis Fight: A Different Adesanya

At UFC 305, Adesanya returned to face Dricus Du Plessis, the surging South African contender. This time, Adesanya didn’t look like a passive counter-striker—he fought aggressively, standing in the pocket and engaging in more boxing exchanges.

For the first few rounds, he had success landing clean shots. However, Du Plessis’ relentless pressure, durability, and superior grappling made the difference. By the fourth round, Adesanya was exhausted, and Du Plessis took advantage, securing a takedown and finishing the fight with a rear-naked choke.

One notable aspect of this fight was Adesanya’s lack of leg kicks. He is usually known for attacking his opponents’ legs to slow them down, but this time, he barely threw any. After the fight, former opponent Alex Pereira tweeted:

“Maybe Adesanya was injured. He didn’t use his leg kicks at all.”

Adesanya responded:

“It’s weird how well this guy knows me… like we spent hours studying each other and fought multiple times or something.”

While this doesn’t confirm that Adesanya was injured, it does suggest that something may have been off in his preparation.

Have Opponents Figured Out His Style?

Adesanya’s losses to Strickland and Du Plessis indicate that the middleweight division has evolved. Fighters are no longer giving him the space he thrives in.

• Strickland pressured him with elite boxing fundamentals.
• Du Plessis combined relentless forward pressure with strong grappling and superior conditioning.

Both fights exposed the same vulnerability: Adesanya struggles against opponents who force him into uncomfortable exchanges and don’t allow him to dictate the pace.

Historically, his best performances have been against fighters who engage in a striking chess match rather than those who smother him with pressure. This might explain why he struggled with Alex Pereira (before knocking him out in the rematch), Strickland, and Du Plessis.

What’s next for Israel Adesanya?

Adesanya is now at a critical point in his career. He can either make the necessary adjustments to reclaim his title or risk fading into the background like many former champions before him.

Potential Comeback Fights

If Adesanya wants to re-establish himself, he may need to take a step back and rebuild before jumping into another title fight. Some possible matchups include:

• A rematch with Sean Strickland: a chance to correct his mistakes and prove that the loss was just a bad night.
• A fight against Jared Cannonier: Cannonier is a top contender who presents an interesting style matchup.
• A trilogy with Alex Pereira (maybe at light heavyweight): If Adesanya decides to move up, a third fight with Pereira could be a huge draw.

Adjustments He Needs to Make

If Adesanya wants to stay competitive, he may need to evolve his game. Some areas of focus could be:

• Improving his boxing defense: His recent losses exposed weaknesses in handling pressure-heavy boxers.
• Developing better clinch and grappling skills: Against Du Plessis, his wrestling defense was a major issue.
• Making smarter tactical adjustments: Instead of engaging in firefights, he should return to his patient, counter-striking style.

Is This the End of an Era?

Despite the recent losses, it’s too early to say that Adesanya is finished. Fighters go through ups and downs, and champions are often defined by how they bounce back from adversity.

Some of the greatest fighters in history—Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and even Jon Jones—have all faced setbacks before reclaiming their dominance. The question now is whether Adesanya can do the same.

He still has the skills, experience, and mindset to remain a top contender. But the middleweight division is evolving, and if he doesn’t adapt, he risks being left behind.

Final Thoughts

Israel Adesanya’s recent struggles aren’t necessarily a sign that he’s washed up. Instead, they highlight the ever-changing nature of MMA. New contenders emerge, strategies evolve, and even the best fighters must constantly adapt.

At 35, Adesanya still has time to make adjustments and reclaim his throne. But whether he can overcome his stylistic weaknesses and bounce back stronger remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: the story of Israel Adesanya is far from over. Whether he returns as a champion or fades into history books will depend on how he responds to his current challenges. The world will be watching.