Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya returns from the longest layoff of his professional career to face knockout artist Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle this weekend (Sat., March 28, 2026) inside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
For the first time in his storied career, “The Last Stylebender” finds himself in unfamiliar territory — riding a three-fight losing streak, including back-to-back finishes.
Still, the 36-year-old remains
confident he can remind everyone exactly who he is and put on a show.
“You know how the game is — people say ‘you’re only as good as your last fight’,” Adesanya said during UFC Seattle media day. “When I’m done this weekend, I want people to be like, ‘Wow, f—k how did I ever doubt him? How did I ever think he was done? Like what the f—k was I thinking?’ That’s the story I want to write this weekend.”
Standing across from him will be a dangerous finisher in Pyfer, who has built his reputation on highlight-reel knockouts (watch highlights) — but Adesanya expects a different approach once the cage door shuts.
“I believe he’s going to shoot quite early because they know — they always do. I make them,” Adesanya told CBS Sports. “My stand up is just a different game, a different level. But if he wants to stand with me, I welcome it. If he wants to wrestle, I welcome that too. I just want to do what I do in the gym under the bright lights.”
While Pyfer is best known for his power, he’s also proven capable on the mat, with two of his five UFC wins coming by submission — including his most recent victory over Abus Magomedov.
Whether Pyfer leans on his grappling or chooses to test himself on the feet, one thing is clear — Adesanya believes he’ll be ready for anything.
Now, it’s just a matter of proving it.
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