“Yeah, Izzy is known for his amazing takedown defense and how he reacts to different…” Those words came from a devoted fan praising former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya during a UFC media day press conference. The fan’s statement echoed a widely shared sentiment—everyone recognizes just how skilled the Nigerian Kiwi is inside the Octagon. With his dominant performances and signature striking style, he has mesmerized fans while taking down elite opponents like Yoel Romero, Robert Whittaker, and many others.

At his peak, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was a force to be reckoned with! The only champion in 185lbs to regain his title, Izzy competed in 12 consecutive title fights from 2019 to 2024. But times have certainly changed in 2025. That veil of dominance has disappeared and Adesanya is currently on a three-fight losing streak with just one win in his last five UFC outings. His struggles began in 2022 when Alex Pereira dethroned him at UFC 281. Though Adesanya avenged the loss in their rematch at UFC 287, reclaiming the middleweight title, he hasn’t been the same since.

His next three fights ended in defeat—falling to underdogs like Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and most recently, Nassourdine Imavov, who knocked him out in the second round at UFC Saudi Arabia this past February. Despite his recent setbacks, Israel Adesanya continues to enjoy unwavering support from his fans and fellow fighters, many of whom consider him to have “Anderson Silva status.”

Even in the face of adversity, a recent encounter with a fan at a media day in New Zealand reminded him of the respect he still commands. While sitting in a car, ‘The Last Stylebender’ told the fan, “You’re the best,” prompting the fan to laugh and reply, “You are the best, brother.” Adesanya later shared the heartfelt exchange on social media, captioning it with a simple yet 7-word meaningful message: “What you give is what you get.”

However, Israel Adesanya’s legacy isn’t defined solely by his UFC reign. Before stepping into the Octagon, he had already made a name for himself in the world of kickboxing. Competing in the New Zealand-Australian circuit, the Nigerian-Kiwi’s striking prowess earned him a dedicated following. Throughout his kickboxing career, he amassed an impressive record of 80 fights, securing 75 wins—27 of them by knockout.

From dominating regional promotions to showcasing his skills on the global kickboxing stage, Adesanya cemented himself as one of the most formidable strikers of his era. Now, with his 36th birthday approaching in July, questions about his future in MMA continue to spark debate among fans and analysts. Some believe he has one last run left in him, hoping for a comeback that redefines his legacy.

Others argue that he has nothing left to prove and should walk away before suffering the fate of legends like BJ Penn and Tony Ferguson, who struggled through extended losing streaks in the twilight of their careers. So, where does Israel Adesanya go from here? Let’s take a closer look.

What’s Israel Adesanya’s retirement timeline?

“The higher the rise, the greater the fall.” This powerful saying rings true when examining the careers of UFC legends like BJ Penn and Tony Ferguson. Once revered for their relentless, chaotic fighting styles, both saw their careers end in a downward spiral, suffering extended losing streaks of seven and eight fights, respectively. Their dramatic declines have sparked discussions about whether Israel Adesanya’s recent struggles mark the beginning of a similar downfall—one that “needs to be studied.”

However, not everyone is buying into that narrative. Fighters like Darren Till have pushed back against the skepticism, shutting down any doubts about Izzy’s legacy. Till even went so far as to call him a “wrecking machine,” emphasizing that a few setbacks don’t erase years of dominance. Still, the question of retirement looms large. As Israel Adesanya approaches the later stages of his career, his recent losing streak could signal that his time in the Octagon may come to an end sooner than expected. But what is Adesanya’s retirement timeline?

Speaking with UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan on JRE MMA Show #164, the Nigerian-Kiwi offered insight into when he might step away from the sport. He stated: “I feel like I won’t be fighting at 40. I don’t think that’s for me. I’d rather be doing something else. But 38, right now, is in my head. Who knows? At 36 or 37, I might just say, ‘Peace, I’m out.’ I’m spontaneous like that, but I think 38, maybe 39. Let’s see what happens first. At the moment, I’m still here.”

With his future in question, what’s your take on Adesanya’s career? Can he bounce back and reclaim his dominance, or has his chapter in MMA’s golden history already been written? If you had one piece of advice for him moving forward, what would it be? Share your thoughts below!