Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to return to the Octagon next month after more than a year away from competition. He will face Joe Pifer on March 28th in the headline bout at UFC Fight Night in Seattle, Washington, surprising many fans with the matchup and event location.
Since Adesanya last fought, the middleweight division has seen significant shifts, with Khamzat Chimaev now leading the pack. The UFC star recently disclosed that he was initially scheduled for a rematch against a new contender at 185 pounds last year but had to withdraw due to injury.
Originally, Adesanya was preparing for a short-notice fight against Reinier de Ridder, spending five to six weeks training before an injury prevented him from competing. This aligns with the October UFC Vancouver event where Anthony Hernandez pulled out from a main event fight against de Ridder. Although disappointed at the time, Adesanya now views this setback positively.
Despite his star power, it is somewhat unusual to see Adesanya headlining a Fight Night event rather than a major UFC pay-per-view. In a candid video on his YouTube channel, he acknowledged that his injury robbed him of a significant opportunity.
Adesanya also opened up about contemplating retirement, admitting he doesn’t see himself fighting past 2027. He estimates he has fewer than ten fights remaining in his career and plans to stay active through next year but remains uncertain about beyond 2027.
Fan Take: Israel Adesanya’s return marks a compelling chapter for fight fans eager to see how the former champion performs after a lengthy hiatus. His declaration about a potential nearing retirement adds a layer of intrigue, reminding us that the sport’s landscape is ever-evolving, with new stars rising as legends prepare for their final acts.
