Israel Adesanya Shuts the Door on a UFC Comeback After Retirement
Israel Adesanya says he will never return to fighting after retirement, explaining how he plans to replace the adrenaline of the UFC.
Israel Adesanya has no intention of becoming another former UFC champion who steps away from the Octagon only to make a comeback years down the line. The two-time middleweight champion is already contemplating life beyond fighting, and when he eventually makes the decision to hang up his gloves, he wants the choice to be final.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Adesanya is committed to leaving the sport on his own terms rather than repeatedly revisiting his decision. Speaking on his YouTube channel, The Last Stylebender explained why he does not want to struggle with the transition away from competition.
“I’ve seen it in this game. The accolades, the spotlight. When they get done, they may come out of retirement because they don’t know what to do with themselves,” Adesanya said. “I never want to be that guy, so once I’m done, I’m f***ing done.”
Adesanya Wants to Find New Ways to Chase Adrenaline
For Adesanya, stepping away from the ring doesn't necessarily mean abandoning the thrill that has defined his journey. Rather, he hopes to redirect the same energy into different pursuits, including exploring activities that offer their own set of risks and challenges.
“I think, personally, after all this is said and done, every other month, maybe every three months, I’ll need or want to do something,” he explained.
Adesanya brought up some intriguing possibilities for his future, like running with the bulls or competing in the World Series of Poker as examples of things he could explore after fighting. His comments suggest that he is already contemplating how he can fill the adrenaline void that comes with stepping back from the competition once he steps away.
Former Champion Still Has Questions to Answer Inside the Octagon
Even though Adesanya is contemplating retirement, he has not officially said goodbye to the UFC just yet. At 37, he remains one of the most successful middleweights in the game, having held the division’s championship twice and defended the undisputed title five consecutive times.
That said, his recent performances have made the final chapter of his career a bit more complicated. Adesanya has faced four straight defeats, including stoppage losses to Dricus du Plessis, Joe Pyfer, and Nassourdine Imavov.
Following his loss to Pyfer in March 2026, Adesanya made it clear that he wasn't ready to hang up his gloves. His latest comments offer a glimpse into his eventual plans, but for now, retirement remains a future decision rather than an immediate announcement.
