Michael Bisping Declares Israel Adesanya’s Championship Days Are Over After UFC Saudi Arabia Loss

Israel Adesanya’s future in the UFC is now uncertain following his third consecutive loss, this time at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. The former middleweight champion, once regarded as one of the most dominant strikers in the sport, was brutally knocked out, raising questions about whether he can ever reclaim his former glory.

After the fight, former UFC middleweight champion and Hall of Famer Michael Bisping didn’t hold back in his analysis. He praised Adesanya’s accomplishments but strongly suggested that his days as an elite title contender are over.

“The biggest takeaway is that it’s over,” Bisping said on the post-fight show. “Israel Adesanya’s reign as champion, I don’t think will come again. I say that with the greatest respect. He’s an original, an incredible fighter, a legend in this sport, a future Hall of Famer. But his time at the top is done.”

At 36 years old, Adesanya has accumulated a wealth of experience in both kickboxing and MMA, but that mileage may now be catching up with him. The recent defeats to Dricus du Plessis, Sean Strickland, and now Imavov have left him at a crossroads.

Despite his recent struggles, Adesanya’s legacy is undeniable. As a former champion, he defended his belt five times and achieved redemption against Alex Pereira after initially losing to him in 2022.

“The career that he’s had is legendary, but more importantly, the man is an original,” Bisping continued. “He’s unique. We’ve seen great kickboxers before, but who brought the showmanship, the charisma, the walkouts, the speeches like Adesanya? He’s a superstar, no doubt. But the reality is, time doesn’t wait for anyone.”

Bisping also pointed out that years of hard training, sparring, and brutal fight camps take their toll on even the best athletes.

“A long career at the highest level puts a lot of wear and tear on the body,” Bisping explained. “Not just the fights—training camps. People don’t understand, the training camps are often worse than the fights. You’re constantly getting taken down, getting hit, sparring, wrestling, dealing with injuries. Over time, that all adds up.”

As Adesanya reflects on his future, questions remain. Will he take time off to recover and reinvent himself, or is this truly the end of an era? For now, the middleweight division is moving forward, and Adesanya finds himself at a career-defining crossroads.