Rising contender Joe Pyfer stuns former champion in Seattle, extends Adesanya’s losing streak despite veteran’s vow to continue fighting

Israel Adesanya’s struggles in the Octagon deepened on Saturday night as the former UFC middleweight champion suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, this time via knockout against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle.

Pyfer delivered a statement performance, finishing Adesanya in the second round to secure the biggest victory of his career and catapult himself into the UFC middleweight elite.

The bout opened with a competitive striking exchange, as both fighters traded shots in a tense first round. However, the momentum shifted decisively in round two when Pyfer seized control. He took Adesanya’s back, flattened him to the canvas, and unleashed a barrage of strikes, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight at 4:18.

The loss adds to a difficult run for Adesanya, who has now fallen in four straight fights following his title defeat to Sean Strickland in September 2023. He was later submitted by Dricus du Plessis and knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov before this latest setback.

Despite the skid, Adesanya remains resolute about his future in the sport, insisting he is not ready to walk away from competition.

For Pyfer, the victory marks a defining moment. Overcome with emotion, he praised Adesanya’s legacy while reflecting on his own journey: “God restored me—that’s the only reason I’m here. He’s one of the highest-IQ champions ever, the greatest middleweight of all time.”

The result underscores a changing of the guard in the division, as Adesanya faces mounting questions about his form while Pyfer emerges as a serious title contender.