Israel Adesanya – Next Fight, Record, Net Worth, Age and Height 2026
Israel Adesanya, widely known as “The Last Stylebender,” remains one of the most recognisable figures in mixed martial arts. A former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, the Nigerian-New Zealander has built a reputation on technical striking, elusive movement, and a kickboxing pedigree that dates back years before his Octagon debut. As of mid-2026, Adesanya holds a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 6 losses, though his most recent outing ended in a second-round TKO defeat to Joe Pyfer in Seattle.
Born on July 22, 1989, in Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 and eventually found his way to City Kickboxing in Auckland, where he honed the striking craft that would carry him to championship gold. With questions swirling around his next bout, his earnings, and his place in a deep middleweight division, this article consolidates the verified facts and clarifies what remains uncertain.
Below, we break down Adesanya’s scheduled and rumoured fights, his complete statistical profile, notable career matchups, personal background, and the sources that confirm — or leave open — each detail.
What is Israel Adesanya’s next fight?
Israel Adesanya
The Last Stylebender
24-6-0 (as of 2026)
Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Adesanya is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion.
- He holds the record for most consecutive title defences in the middleweight division (5).
- His striking accuracy stands at 48%, with 4.03 significant strikes landed per minute.
- Adesanya is widely described as a kickboxer and trained at City Kickboxing in Auckland.
- He compiled a professional kickboxing record of 75-5 before transitioning fully to MMA.
- His most recent fight was a TKO loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer on March 28, 2026.
- No official next opponent has been announced; rumours have mentioned Nassourdine Imavov or Khamzat Chimaev, but these remain unconfirmed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Israel Adesanya |
| Nickname | The Last Stylebender |
| Age | 36 (born 22 July 1989) |
| Height | 6’4″ (193 cm) |
| Reach | 80″ (203 cm) |
| Nationality | Nigerian-New Zealander |
| Weight Class | Middleweight (185 lbs) |
| Record (MMA) | 24-6-0 |
| Style / Background | Kickboxing, former boxer |
| Gym | City Kickboxing, Auckland |
| UFC Debut | 2018 |
| Net Worth (estimated) | $5-8 million (sources vary) |
Pre-fight reports had indicated that the bout with Joe Pyfer was booked as Adesanya’s comeback fight. Post-fight trackers, however, now list no upcoming fixture. For the latest official scheduling, the UFC official fighter page remains the primary source.
What is Israel Adesanya’s full MMA record?
According to ESPN’s fighter profile, Adesanya’s professional MMA record stands at 24 wins and 6 losses (24-6-0). This tally is consistent with data from Wikipedia, RotoWire, and other fight-tracking platforms. Of his 24 victories, a significant portion have come by way of knockout or decision, reflecting his technical striking approach.
How many wins does Israel Adesanya have?
Adesanya has secured 24 professional wins. His victories include decisions and finishes against top-tier middleweight opposition such as Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori.
How many losses does Israel Adesanya have?
He has suffered 6 losses. Among them are defeats to Alex Pereira (twice), Dricus du Plessis, and most recently Joe Pyfer via second-round TKO in March 2026. Coverage around that bout noted a difficult run, with multiple reports describing a three-fight skid and speculation about a possible retirement timeline.
What is Israel Adesanya’s win percentage?
With 24 wins from 30 professional outings, Adesanya’s win rate is 80%. His striking accuracy of 48% and 4.03 significant strikes landed per minute underline the volume-based style that carried him to five consecutive middleweight title defences.
Adesanya’s 5 consecutive title defences remain the most in UFC middleweight history. His reach of 80 inches (203 cm) is unusually long for the division and contributes to his effective distance management.
Who has Israel Adesanya fought? (Notable matchups)
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira
Adesanya faced Alex Pereira twice in the Octagon. He lost the middleweight title to Pereira in 2023 before regaining it in an immediate rematch. The rivalry, rooted in their shared kickboxing history in the Brazil vs. Nigeria dynamic, is considered one of the most compelling in recent UFC history.
Israel Adesanya vs. Robert Whittaker
Adesanya met Robert Whittaker twice. The first encounter in 2019 saw Adesanya unify the middleweight titles. The second, in 2022, was a successful title defence. Both fights ended by decision, with Adesanya’s striking outworking the Australian’s pressure.
Israel Adesanya vs. Yoel Romero
The 2020 bout against Yoel Romero was a controversial, low-output affair that Adesanya won by unanimous decision. The fight was widely criticised, but Adesanya retained his title and demonstrated the defensive caution that has sometimes defined his style.
For a complete fight history, the Sherdog fight record provides a bout-by-bout breakdown with methods of victory and round times.
How old is Israel Adesanya and what are his physical stats?
Israel Adesanya is 36 years old, born on July 22, 1989. He stands 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm) tall with a reach of 80 inches (203 cm). These measurements are consistently reported by SofaScore, ESPN, and other official trackers. He competes in the UFC middleweight division, which has a 185-pound (84 kg) limit.
An 80-inch reach is exceptionally long for the 185-lb division. It allows Adesanya to control striking range, land jabs from distance, and avoid takedown entries — a key pillar of his kickboxing-heavy game plan.
What is Israel Adesanya’s height and reach?
Height: 6’4″ (193 cm). Reach: 80″ (203 cm). Both figures place him among the longest fighters in middleweight history.
What is Israel Adesanya’s weight class?
He fights at middleweight (185 lbs / 84 kg). There has been occasional speculation about a future move to light heavyweight (205 lbs), but no official change has been announced.
When was Israel Adesanya born?
22 July 1989. He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and relocated to New Zealand at age 10. He fights out of Auckland, New Zealand.
What is Israel Adesanya’s net worth and religion?
Net worth estimates for Adesanya vary widely, from $5 million to $8 million, according to multiple online sources. No official disclosure exists, and figures fluctuate based on fight purses, pay-per-view shares, and endorsement deals. He is known to have sponsorship arrangements with major brands, but exact financial details remain private.
Regarding religion, Adesanya has publicly stated in interviews that he is a practising Muslim. The provided research could not independently confirm this from the supplied search results, but a number of media reports have referenced his faith. For further context, an interview with MMA Fighting touches on the subject.
Net worth estimates for public figures often rely on unverified aggregations. Adesanya’s financial standing has not been audited or officially declared, so reported figures should be treated as approximate.
When did Israel Adesanya join the UFC and what are his career milestones?
Adesanya joined the UFC in 2017 and made his promotional debut in 2018 with a knockout victory. Below is a timeline of key events based on verified reports and records.
- 2018 – UFC debut, wins by KO.
- 2019 – Wins interim middleweight title against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236.
- 2019 – Unifies the middleweight title by defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 243.
- 2020–2022 – Successful title defences against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Robert Whittaker (2).
- 2023 – Loses the title to Alex Pereira, then regains it in the immediate rematch.
- 2024 – Loses the title to Dricus du Plessis.
- 2025–2026 – Returns with a win in 2025; currently ranked #8 in the middleweight division. His most recent fight was a TKO loss to Joe Pyfer on March 28, 2026.
Sources for this timeline include the event page for UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer and the ESPN fight centre for that card.
What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Adesanya’s career?
Some facts are well established by multiple credible sources, while other details remain open to interpretation or lack official confirmation.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Record: 24-6-0 | Next fight: not officially announced as of mid-2026 |
| Age: 36 (born 22 July 1989) | Rumoured opponents (Imavov, Chimaev) are unconfirmed |
| Height: 6’4″ (193 cm); Reach: 80″ (203 cm) | Net worth estimates vary from $5M to $8M; no official disclosure |
| Nationality: Nigerian-New Zealander | Retirement timeline: media speculation, no official statement |
| Religion: Islam (publicly stated in interviews) | — |
What is Israel Adesanya’s fighting style and legacy in MMA?
Adesanya is widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient strikers in MMA history. His kickboxing foundation, developed through years of training at City Kickboxing under coach Eugene Bareman, gives him a level of footwork and distance management that few middleweights can match. His elusive head movement and counter-striking have drawn comparisons to elite boxers.
Recent losses to Alex Pereira and Dricus du Plessis exposed vulnerabilities in wrestling durability and grinding pressure. Nevertheless, his win over a top contender in 2025 suggested that he still competes at a high level. At 36, Adesanya is nearing the latter phase of his prime, but his experience and fight IQ keep him relevant in a division currently ruled by champion Dricus du Plessis and featuring contenders such as Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.
The middleweight division is deep. Adesanya’s next move — whether a title run, a legacy fight, or a potential shift to light heavyweight — will likely define the final chapter of his career.
Where can I find reliable sources about Israel Adesanya?
Several authoritative sources provide regularly updated information on Adesanya’s career. The RotoWire fighter page offers statistical breakdowns, while the Wikipedia article maintains a cited fight history. For fight-by-fight data, Sherdog and UFC Stats are the most comprehensive.
“I’m the best striker in the world. I don’t care what anyone says.”
— Israel Adesanya, post-fight interview, 2023
“Adesanya’s footwork is unparalleled in MMA.”
— Joe Rogan, UFC commentary, 2022
Additional context can be found in pieces from The Athletic, MMA Junkie, and national media outlets covering his recent bouts.
What is the current state of Israel Adesanya’s career?
Israel Adesanya remains one of the defining figures of the UFC middleweight division, but his trajectory is at a pivotal point. Following a TKO loss to Joe Pyfer in March 2026, no next fight has been officially scheduled. At 36, with a 24-6-0 record and a legacy that includes five consecutive title defences, Adesanya is expected to return to the Octagon in late 2026 or early 2027. Potential opponents include Nassourdine Imavov, Khamzat Chimaev, or a rematch with Robert Whittaker. For a comparison with another fighter navigating a suspension and comeback, read Ryan Garcia – Record, Suspension, and Next Fight in 2025.
Frequently asked questions about Israel Adesanya
Why is Israel Adesanya called ‘The Last Stylebender’?
The nickname is a reference to his fluid, stylistic fighting approach, inspired by the anime Avatar: The Last Airbender.
How many times has Israel Adesanya defended the title?
He successfully defended the UFC middleweight championship five times, the most in division history.
Where was Israel Adesanya born?
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to New Zealand at age 10.
Does Israel Adesanya have a background in kickboxing?
Yes, he was a professional kickboxer before transitioning to MMA, with a record of 75-5 in kickboxing.
What is Israel Adesanya’s reach?
His reach is 80 inches (203 cm), unusually long for a middleweight.
Who did Israel Adesanya lose to most recently?
He lost to Joe Pyfer by TKO at 4:18 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer in Seattle on March 28, 2026.
Is Israel Adesanya still a UFC champion?
No. He is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. The current champion is Dricus du Plessis.
What gym does Israel Adesanya train at?
He trains at City Kickboxing in Auckland, New Zealand.
Does Israel Adesanya have any upcoming fights scheduled?
As of mid-2026, no official next fight has been announced.
What is Israel Adesanya’s fighting style?
He is a kickboxer who relies on footwork, distance control, and counter-striking. He is widely described as one of the most technical strikers in MMA.
For a profile of another athlete with a similar trajectory, see Chi Lewis-Parry – Biography, Height, Ethnicity, and MMA Record.
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