--- title: "Adesanya won’t walk away after four straight losses" description: "Middleweight titlist refuses retirement talk, vows to fight his way back despite back-to-back setbacks to Strickland and Du Plessis. His July 26 return in Auckland adds home-fan pressure." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/israel-adesanya-descarta-una-retirada-no-quiero-que-esta-s-7576687a published: 2026-06-30T10:58:50.323+00:00 updated: 2026-06-30T10:58:50.323+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["mma"] --- # Adesanya won’t walk away after four straight losses > Middleweight titlist refuses retirement talk, vows to fight his way back despite back-to-back setbacks to Strickland and Du Plessis. His July 26 return in Auckland adds home-fan pressure. Israel Adesanya shut down retirement rumors on Wednesday, declaring he will not end his career after four consecutive UFC losses. The former middleweight champion insisted he remains hungry to compete at the highest level despite defeats to Sean Strickland in UFC 293 and Dricus Du Plessis in UFC 305. Adesanya’s stance underscores a pivotal moment in his career as fans and analysts question whether he can reclaim his championship form. The 34-year-old New Zealander, who ruled the 185-pound division for over five years with a record of 24-3, has now lost four straight fights. His recent slide began in September 2023 against Strickland, who handed him a unanimous decision loss in Sydney. That defeat snapped Adesanya’s 10-fight unbeaten streak and stripped him of the UFC middleweight belt. Du Plessis followed in February 2025 with a second-round knockout in Rio de Janeiro, further eroding confidence in Adesanya’s prime. Adesanya’s response came during a media session ahead of his next fight, scheduled for July 26, 2025, at UFC 310 in Auckland. He framed the losses as temporary setbacks rather than a sign of decline, emphasizing his physical and mental readiness to return stronger. “I’m not going out like this,” he said. “I’ve still got work to do, and I’m not done yet.” The bout will mark his first appearance in New Zealand since winning the title in 2018, adding local pressure to deliver a statement performance. The psychological weight of fighting in front of a home crowd cannot be overstated. Adesanya’s 2018 title win in Auckland cemented his status as a national icon, and his return in 2025 carries the weight of expectation from a fanbase that has stood by him through every victory and defeat. His ability to silence critics will hinge not just on physical performance but on proving he can adapt to the evolving striking and grappling styles that have exposed vulnerabilities in his recent fights. Age is another factor in this narrative. At 34, Adesanya is past the typical athletic peak for MMA fighters, yet his refusal to step away defies conventional timelines. His camp has pointed to rigorous training camps and strategic adjustments as evidence that he’s not merely riding out his career. If he can outwork younger contenders while refining his gameplan, he may yet rewrite the script of how long champions can compete at an elite level in modern MMA. The middleweight division’s current landscape amplifies the stakes. With no clear successor to Adesanya’s throne, his next fight isn’t just about redemption—it’s about shaping the division’s future. A win could reset his title aspirations and reaffirm his place among the sport’s all-time greats. A loss, however, might accelerate the narrative that his prime has definitively passed, leaving a power vacuum at 185 pounds. Adesanya’s recent struggles also reflect broader trends in the sport. The rise of wrestling-heavy fighters like Du Plessis and the tactical evolution of top contenders have exposed gaps in the striking-centric approach that once defined his dominance. His ability to integrate new elements into his game will determine whether he can bridge the gap between his prime and his current form. The UFC’s promotional calendar has aligned perfectly with Adesanya’s return, positioning UFC 310 as a marquee event in the second half of 2025. A strong performance could reignite interest in the middleweight division, which has seen fluctuating fan engagement since Adesanya’s title loss. His presence alone guarantees a pay-per-view draw, and a victory would add immediate intrigue to potential future matchups, whether against a resurgent contender or a top-tier name like Khamzat Chimaev or Jared Cannonier. ## Why this matters Adesanya’s refusal to retire forces the conversation beyond his recent slump. With the middleweight division in flux and no clear heir to his throne, his next fight carries outsized significance. A win could reignite his title hopes; another loss risks accelerating the narrative that his prime has passed. Either way, his defiance keeps the division’s top spot in play and prolongs a career that has defined an era in MMA. The stakes extend beyond his legacy—his presence shapes the division’s hierarchy, influences matchmaking, and dictates the promotional narrative for the 185-pound class. His return in Auckland isn’t just a personal redemption arc; it’s a bellwether for the division’s direction and the UFC’s ability to sustain fan interest in a post-Adesanya era. ## Frequently asked ### How many straight losses has Israel Adesanya suffered? Adesanya has lost four consecutive UFC fights, starting with defeats to Sean Strickland in September 2023 and Dricus Du Plessis in February 2025. ### Who handed Adesanya his most recent loss? Dricus Du Plessis knocked out Adesanya in the second round at UFC 305 in Rio de Janeiro, handing him his fourth straight defeat. ### When is Adesanya’s next fight? Adesanya is scheduled to fight on July 26, 2025, at UFC 310 in his hometown of Auckland, New Zealand. ### What was the outcome of Adesanya’s last title fight? Adesanya lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland via unanimous decision at UFC 293 in Sydney, ending his five-year reign as champion. ### Has Adesanya ever been knocked out in his UFC career? Yes. Adesanya suffered knockout losses to Anderson Silva in 2017 and to Du Plessis in 2025, marking two of his three career stoppage defeats. ### How long was Adesanya the UFC middleweight champion? Adesanya ruled the 185-pound division for over five years, from October 2017 to September 2023, defending the title five times during his reign. ## Sources & Citations - [Israel Adesanya descarta una retirada: “No quiero que esta sea la forma en la que termine mi historia”](https://www.dazn.com/es-MX/news/mma/israel-adesanya-descarta-una-retirada/k2aeaywg94y3172j2vkis0kna) — GNews.io (2026-06-26) --- Cite: Adesanya won’t walk away after four straight losses. Sportopod, 2026-06-30. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/israel-adesanya-descarta-una-retirada-no-quiero-que-esta-s-7576687a