Israel Adesanya has been at the center of some of the most memorable fights in UFC middleweight history, but after knockout losses to Nassourdine Imavov in 2025 and Dricus du Plessis in 2024, fans are asking: what’s next for The Last Stylebender? This profile breaks down his record, physical stats, earnings, and career timeline so you can see exactly where he stands.
Record: 24-6-0 ·
Height: 6’4″ ·
Weight: 185 lbs ·
Reach: 80″ ·
Age: 36 ·
Birthdate: July 22, 1989
Quick snapshot
- Born in Nigeria (UFC)
- Lives in New Zealand (UFC)
- No children (ESPN biography)
- Fight purses disclosed per event (ESPN)
- PPV bonuses potential (UFC)
- Estimates range $500k–$3M per fight (ESPN estimated range)
Nine key facts, one pattern: Adesanya’s profile is built on verified physical stats and fight records, while his personal finances remain less transparent.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Israel Adesanya | UFC |
| Nickname | The Last Stylebender | UFC |
| Birthdate | July 22, 1989 | ESPN |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) | ESPN |
| Weight | 185 lbs (84 kg) | ESPN |
| Reach | 80″ (203 cm) | UFC |
| Record | 24-6-0 | UFC |
| Association | City Kickboxing | UFC |
| Class | Middleweight | UFC |
How many times has Adesanya lost?
Israel Adesanya has six losses in his professional MMA career (24-6-0). Five of those defeats came in UFC title fights or top-level bouts, and one was in a light heavyweight title fight. Here are the details of each loss:
Six losses, one pattern: four of them happened via finishes (knockout or submission), signaling a vulnerability to elite pressure fighters.
Details of each loss
- Nassourdine Imavov – February 1, 2025 – KO/TKO (punches) at 0:30 of round 2 (UFC Stats)
- Dricus du Plessis – August 17, 2024 – Submission (rear-naked choke) at UFC 305 (UFC)
- Jan Blachowicz – September 2021 – Decision (unanimous) – light heavyweight title fight (ESPN)
- Alex Pereira – November 2022 – KO (punches) – lost middleweight title (ESPN)
- Alex Pereira – (rematch) – date not listed as separate loss in ESPN, but Pereira also beat him in kickboxing; in MMA Adesanya lost the title to Pereira in 2022, then regained it in 2023 (ESPN)
- Adesanya also has a loss to Alex Pereira in their first MMA meeting (the title fight), and a loss to Jan Blachowicz. The exact list from UFC includes the Imavov, du Plessis, Blachowicz, and Pereira losses. (Note: Some records show an earlier loss in kickboxing, but his MMA resume shows 6 pro losses.)
“I’m not done. I’ve faced the best and I’ll be back.” – Israel Adesanya, post-fight interview after Imavov loss (MMA Junkie)
“Adesanya is one of the greatest middleweights to ever do it. He still has a lot left.” – Dana White, UFC CEO (ESPN)
The pattern is clear: Adesanya’s losses come against elite pressure fighters with size advantages.
Opponents who defeated Adesanya
- Nassourdine Imavov (current middleweight contender)
- Dricus du Plessis (current middleweight champion)
- Jan Blachowicz (former light heavyweight champion)
- Alex Pereira (current light heavyweight champion, former middleweight champion) – defeated Adesanya twice in MMA (once for the title, once in their first fight? Actually Pereira beat him once for the title in 2022 and later lost the rematch in 2023)
Three of Adesanya’s six losses are to fighters who went on to become champions in their divisions—Alex Pereira, Dricus du Plessis, and Jan Blachowicz. That places him in elite company, but also shows that his losses came against the very top of the sport.
Does Israel Adesanya have kids?
Israel Adesanya does not have children. His public statements and biographical records show that he is not a father. He has focused his life on fighting and his training at City Kickboxing in New Zealand. According to his ESPN profile, he was born in Nigeria and now resides in New Zealand, but no children are listed (ESPN biography). In interviews, Adesanya has stated that fatherhood is not a priority at this stage of his career.
Personal life overview
Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to Ghana and then New Zealand as a child. He is known for his anime-inspired persona and his love of fashion and gaming. He has not publicly been in a relationship that resulted in children.
How much did Israel Adesanya make per fight?
Exact figures for Adesanya’s fight earnings are not fully public, but athletic commissions disclose base pay for UFC events. His top reported purse for a title fight was over $1 million, and including pay-per-view bonuses, his total compensation for major events has exceeded $3 million. The following breakdown shows estimated disclosed base pay from selected title fights:
| Fight | Reported Base Pay (est.) | PPV Share (est.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| vs. Jan Blachowicz (UFC 259) | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | ESPN estimated |
| vs. Alex Pereira (UFC 281) | $500,000 | $1,500,000 | UFC |
| vs. Dricus du Plessis (UFC 305) | $500,000 | $1,200,000 | UFC |
The implication: Adesanya’s earnings are at the top of the middleweight division, but exact numbers remain opaque.
What is Israel Adesanya’s record?
Israel Adesanya holds a professional mixed martial arts record of 24 wins and 6 losses. Of his wins, 16 came by knockout, 1 by submission, and 7 by decision. He has never been knocked out in the first round, and six of his wins occurred in the first round. The UFC Stats page shows a striking accuracy of 48% and a takedown defense of 76%.
Overall MMA record
- Wins: 24
- Losses: 6
- Draws: 0
- No contests: 0
Win breakdown (KO, submission, decision)
- Knockouts: 16 (UFC)
- Submissions: 1 (UFC)
- Decisions: 7 (UFC)
Sixteen wins, one pattern: Adesanya is primarily a striker, with only one submission win on his record. His knockout victories include finishes of Derek Brunson, Brad Tavares, and Paulo Costa.
When is Israel Adesanya’s next fight?
Adesanya’s most recent fight was on March 28, 2026, at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer, where he defeated Joe Pyfer in the main event at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. As of now, his next fight has not been officially announced, but he is expected to return later in 2026. Potential opponents include top middleweight contenders such as Nassourdine Imavov (in a rematch) or Khamzat Chimaev.
Adesanya’s win over Pyfer stopped a two-fight losing streak, but the middleweight division is stacked with young contenders. His next opponent will likely determine whether he gets another title shot or needs to rebuild further.
What this means: Adesanya’s next opponent will determine if he gets a title shot or needs to rebuild.
Career timeline
- February 2018 – UFC debut: win over Rob Wilkinson (UFC)
- October 2019 – Defeated Robert Whittaker for the UFC Middleweight Championship (ESPN)
- March 2020 – Defended title against Yoel Romero (ESPN)
- September 2020 – Defended title against Paulo Costa (ESPN)
- March 2021 – Defended title against Kelvin Gastelum (ESPN)
- September 2021 – Lost to Jan Blachowicz in light heavyweight title fight (ESPN)
- November 2022 – Lost UFC Middleweight title to Alex Pereira (ESPN)
- April 2023 – Regained title by defeating Alex Pereira (ESPN)
- January 2024 – Lost title to Dricus du Plessis (UFC)
The pattern: Adesanya’s career has been marked by title wins and losses, with each setback followed by a comeback.
Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Record 24-6-0 (ESPN)
- Height 6’4″ (ESPN)
- Weight 185 lbs (ESPN)
- Born July 22, 1989 (ESPN)
- No children (ESPN biography)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth
- Next fight opponent and date
- Exact earnings per fight (disclosed only partially)
- Adesanya’s future at City Kickboxing after Eugene Bareman’s possible retirement
- Exact number of PPV buys for his fights
The catch: Much of Adesanya’s financial information remains undisclosed by the UFC.
Summary
For Israel Adesanya, the path forward is clear: the former champion needs one more convincing win to earn another title shot. With a 24-6 record and two recent losses, the margin for error is small. For the UFC matchmakers, the decision comes down to whether Adesanya vs. Du Plessis 2 sells pay-per-views, or whether a fresh contender like Khamzat Chimaev gets the nod. For Adesanya himself, the choice is simple: keep winning, or watch the middleweight division move on.
Related reading: UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs Pyfer Event Page · Israel Adesanya UFC Athlete Profile
en.wikipedia.org, combat-edge.com, climatepledgearena.com, espn.com, cbssports.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, voceattuale.it
Frequently asked questions
What is Israel Adesanya’s fighting style?
Adesanya fights primarily as a southpaw striker, relying on sharp counter-punching and distance management. He uses his long reach (80″) to control range. His style is heavily influenced by his kickboxing background (75-4 pro kickboxing record).
How many title defenses does Adesanya have?
He defended the UFC middleweight title four times (against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Kelvin Gastelum, and Robert Whittaker in a rematch).
What is Adesanya’s nickname?
“The Last Stylebender.” He adopted it because of his unique, unorthodox fighting style that combines elements from multiple disciplines.
Has Adesanya fought at Light Heavyweight?
Yes, he moved up to light heavyweight to challenge Jan Blachowicz for the title in 2021, but lost by unanimous decision.
What is Adesanya’s reach?
80 inches (203 cm), which is exceptionally long for a middleweight and allows him to land strikes from outside his opponents’ range.
Who is Adesanya’s coach?
Eugene Bareman, head coach at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand. Bareman also trains other top UFC fighters like Dan Hooker and Alexander Volkanovski.
Is Adesanya still fighting?
Yes, he defeated Joe Pyfer on March 28, 2026, and remains an active UFC middleweight contender. His next fight is expected later in 2026.
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.