“That’s just how it goes. When you reach the top—he (Adesanya) is done, right? In my opinion, he’s been at the top top. But it happens to everyone. No one escapes that,” said Din Thomas last month while discussing the struggles of former 185lbs champion Israel Adesanya. After suffering three consecutive losses—his fourth defeat in his last five fights—Thomas stressed that even the most dominant UFC champions inevitably face a decline, as no one can outrun time.

Following disappointing losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis in 2023 and 2024, Israel Adesanya’s latest setback occurred at UFC’s historic first event in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Rising Dagestani star Nassourdine Imavov abruptly halted the Nigerian-Kiwi’s pursuit of reclaiming the gold when he landed a powerful right hook in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 250 encounter. With another loss now marking his record, the pressing question remains: is Adesanya’s time as an elite competitor coming to an end?

Once a dominant force across multiple disciplines, from kickboxing to MMA, the Nigerian superstar was a nightmare for his division, competing in 12 straight title fights from 2019 to 2024. His legacy remains undeniable, a point recently emphasized by Joe Rogan on The Joe Rogan Experience #2286. While speaking with former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown, the podcaster analyzed Israel Adesanya’s decline, highlighting how Nassourdine Imavov “caught and strangled” him.

However, Joe Rogan was quick to clarify that Adesanya hasn’t lost his skillset—it’s simply the brutal nature of MMA taking its toll. “It’s a tough sport, and the sport does not rest. The sport keeps going. These guys coming up every year—they’re better every year, they’re more complete. There are no one-dimensional fighters anymore. They can all do everything. All these guys can just freaking bang out. They can do everything. The best guys today are all super multifaceted. They can do everything,” Rogan explained.

Before stepping into the world of MMA, Israel Adesanya had already proven himself as a dominant force in kickboxing. He made his mark on the regional circuits across the Australasian zone while balancing his relationship with MMA. In kickboxing, Izzy racked up an impressive record of 75 wins from 80 fights, with 27 of those victories coming by knockout. At the age of 28, he made his UFC debut with a technical knockout, kicking off an extraordinary journey. He went on to secure a remarkable 12-fight win streak, defeating prominent fighters like Yoel Romero, excluding his one fight at 205lbs, before facing his longtime rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281.

However, recent setbacks have raised questions about the next chapter of his career. Last month, the UFC inducted Israel Israel Adesanya into its Hall of Fame during the UFC 313 broadcast, highlighting his iconic fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 as part of the ceremony. This recognition was enough to silence many of the Nigerian-Kiwi’s critics, but Khamzat Chimaev‘s teammate still had something to say to those who continue to challenge Adesanya’s legacy.

Darren Till rips fans suggesting Israel Adesanya’s downfall

After Israel Adesanya’s loss to French fighter Nassourdine Imavov, social media was quickly flooded with questions. Fans began speculating whether Izzy’s downfall had started, while others raised concerns about fighters in their 40s, with one fan even suggesting that the Nigerian-Kiwi’s career “downfall needs to be studied.” However, not everyone shared these pessimistic views. Adesanya, often compared to the legendary Anderson Silva for his dominance, found support in Dricus Du Plessis, who criticized the negativity surrounding the former champion.

Khamzat Chimaev’s teammate, Darren Till, also stepped up to defend Izzy, harshly condemning the critics. He called those questioning Israel Adesanya’s legacy “gangs of absolute morons.” Till took to social media, expressing his confusion over the accusations: “I just read a comment on an MMA page saying, ‘The downfall of Israel Adesanya needs to be studied!’ Can everyone here who isn’t an absolute moron actually understand that statement? I’m trying so hard to understand it, but I can’t… I’m so confused… What downfall??? I’ve seen people talk about downfalls, studies, etc.—all that sh*t, like ‘The downfall of Darren Till needs to be studied.’ I get that.”

Now, with the emergence of so many young talents in the sport, what do you think of Joe Rogan‘s claims? Will Israel Adesanya be able to make a comeback and return to the winning column, or does his recent losing streak indicate that the final phase of his career has begun? Drop your thoughts below.