Following Israel Adesanya’s recent defeat to South African middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis, UFC commentator Michael Bisping has weighed in, suggesting that the former champ’s reign over the middleweight division could be winding down. Speaking on TNT Sports’ UFC Review Show, Bisping reflected on Adesanya’s recent form, noting that the once-dominant fighter has now lost three of his last four bouts.
Adesanya, who was once seen as nearly untouchable, suffered a submission loss to Du Plessis at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia. The fight, which ended in the fourth round via rear-naked choke, has raised questions about whether Adesanya can still reclaim his throne at 35 years old.
A Surprising Decline
For Bisping, Adesanya’s current trajectory is a stark contrast to the fighter who once ruled the division. “The crazy thing is, Izzy has lost three out of his last four fights. This is a far cry from the Adesanya that once dominated,” Bisping commented. He acknowledged that Adesanya’s earlier defeats, like his loss to Alex Pereira, were avenged, but back-to-back losses, including to Sean Strickland, have marked a significant decline.
“You can’t stay on top forever,” Bisping added. “What goes up must eventually come down, and we may be witnessing the start of that descent. He’s still an incredible fighter, but losing three out of four matches signals that something’s changed.”
Is Adesanya’s Time as Champ Over?
While Adesanya has enjoyed a lengthy reign, Bisping believes this latest defeat could prompt reflection about his future. Adesanya’s post-fight gestures, including briefly removing his gloves in the cage, had fans and pundits speculating about a potential retirement announcement. However, in typical Adesanya fashion, he surprised everyone with his rendition of the famous “I’m not leaving” line from The Wolf of Wall Street, indicating that he’s not done yet.
Bisping does, however, remain uncertain whether Adesanya will regain championship status. “There are still big paydays for Izzy, and a lot of entertaining fights left for him. Maybe he’ll fight in the light-heavyweight division, or stick around at middleweight. But can he become champion again? That’s a tough question to answer.”
A Fellow Pundit’s Take: Peet Sees the End of an Era
Nick Peet, another TNT Sports analyst, echoed Bisping’s sentiments, hinting that Adesanya’s dominance may well be in its twilight phase. Peet likened Adesanya’s situation to that of many great fighters who fail to recognize when their prime is behind them.
“Adesanya looked fantastic leading up to the fourth round. He was composed, controlling the fight’s pace, and Du Plessis was clearly fatigued. But in one quick moment, everything unraveled,” Peet explained. Du Plessis managed to land a pivotal right hook, following up with a series of punishing strikes that led to the submission.
Peet added that Adesanya’s mental state might be the real battle. “Right now, Izzy’s stuck in a cycle of losing. At 35, after achieving everything he has, breaking that psychological barrier is one of the hardest things a fighter can do.”
What’s Next for Adesanya?
While both Bisping and Peet believe Adesanya’s future at the top of the division is uncertain, they agree that he still has some fights left in him. Whether Adesanya can break out of this slump and recapture the form that once made him the undisputed middleweight king remains to be seen.
What’s clear, however, is that Adesanya is facing a crossroads. His next moves—whether to bounce back from this streak or shift divisions—will define the legacy of a fighter who once seemed invincible.
