Israel Adesanya return talks have dominated MMA circles as the former middleweight king prepares to end his 13-month layoff at UFC 310 in Seattle this weekend. The Nigerian-born New Zealander faces Joe Pyfer at Climate Pledge Arena, marking his first fight night appearance after 14 consecutive pay-per-view showings.
Israel Adesanya Return Fuelled by Creative Pursuits
Whilst many wondered where the 36-year-old disappeared to, Adesanya kept busy pursuing passions beyond the cage. The former champion launched his own festival, Afro Soul, and even tried his hand at DJ-ing—headlined by Burner Boy no less.
“Just doing things outside of fighting that I like, just focusing on myself,” Adesanya explained. “I started a festival, became a DJ for a little bit, and yeah, just clocking back into work now.”
Meanwhile, he remained a constant presence at Auckland’s City Kickboxing, helping prepare teammates including Carlos Ulberg, who chases the gym’s second UFC belt against Jiří Procházka for the light heavyweight title at UFC 237 on April 11.
Three-Fight Skid Can’t Dampen Championship Fire
Let’s be brutally honest—Adesanya’s on a rough patch. Three straight defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov after reclaiming his belt from Alex Pereira would break most fighters’ spirits.
Not this one.
“I don’t know if it’s my final chapter—it’s on the back end of my career—but definitely not my final chapter,” the former champion insisted. “I could just call it quits and just do whatever I feel. But nah, I just have these skills and these tendencies I have to express through controlled violence.”
Consequently, Pyfer represents Adesanya’s lowest-ranked opponent since facing Marvin Vettori back in 2018—a clear indication of how far the former king has fallen down the middleweight pecking order.
Controlled Violence Returns to Seattle
The UFC veteran sounds refreshed after allowing his body and mind to properly heal. “I had to just take a step back and let my body rest, let my mind rest, because again I was very active,” he revealed.
Furthermore, the Paramount deal means TVNZ finally broadcasts these events free-to-air in New Zealand, expanding Adesanya’s home audience beyond Sky’s pay-per-view model.
“Well-rounded opponent, very dangerous, but I look to put him away,” Adesanya said of Pyfer. “I have these tendencies, and I want to express it through controlled violence, and he’s the recipient of it this time.”
Another defeat could accelerate retirement talk, but victory opens an unlikely path back to title contention. For now, though, Adesanya’s laser-focused on recapturing that winning feeling.
“I miss the feeling of winning. I don’t need it, but I want it, and I’m going to get what I want.”