Defiant Adesanya Promises UFC Return Despite Defeat
Israel Adesanya has promised to continue his career despite suffering a fourth consecutive loss, stopped in the second round by Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle.
The former two-time middleweight champion, who has not won since knocking out Alex Pereira in April 2023, was overwhelmed by Pyfer’s relentless pressure at the Climate Pledge Arena.
After a competitive opening round where Adesanya landed damaging calf kicks, Pyfer secured a takedown late in the frame and carried that momentum into the second.
An eye poke briefly halted proceedings early in round two, but Pyfer quickly regained control, dragging Adesanya to the canvas and unleashing a barrage of strikes. Referee Herb Dean stepped in at 4:18 of the round to stop the contest, handing Pyfer the biggest victory of his career.
Adesanya, 36, admitted he expected Pyfer’s best performance but insisted he is not done.
‘I wanted to feel like I’d been in a fight, and he gave me just that… I’m not leaving, you’ll never stop me,’ he said defiantly after the bout.
Pyfer, now 16-3, was overcome with emotion as he celebrated the win, revealing personal struggles in the build-up and crediting faith for his resilience.
The victory is expected to propel him into the top four of the middleweight rankings, with champion Khamzat Chimaev firmly in his sights.
