Despite his recent losses, Israel Adesanya is considered one of the all-time greats in UFC history, but there are questions about whether he should retire or reinvent his fighting style as he faces challenges in reclaiming a top spot in the middleweight division.
Israel Adesanya? Man, he’s got nothing left to prove. Even after that shocking knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in UFC Saudi Arabia, his legacy as one of the middleweight greats is pretty much set in stone. Yet, despite the setback, Adesanya’s already talking about making a comeback. UFC legend Matt Brown, though, is scratching his head—wondering if it’s the best move.
“He’s got to be thirsty again,” Brown mused on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “You know, waking up at 5 a.m., skipping those Saturday night outings. Going back to the basics isn’t easy when you’ve had such an amazing career.” It begs the question: should he hang up his gloves? Brown thinks maybe it’s time to ponder retirement; title fights might just be out of reach now.
If Adesanya isn’t in the title mix, what’s next for him? Brown doesn’t see many exciting matchups for him in the middleweight division. Off three straight losses, Adesanya needs to climb back into contention. But let’s face it—the 185-pound class isn’t exactly bursting with stars right now.
Brown’s got more questions than answers. "Is fighting mid-tier bouts worth it?" he wonders aloud. Maybe some influencer boxing could spice things up—imagine Izzy versus Jake Paul! But really, what’s the point of risking it all without a clear goal?
Reinventing himself might be another path as Adesanya nears 36. Brown highlights how aging fighters need to adapt their quick-twitch style and precise timing—easier said than done. As age creeps in, those reactionary moves start fading away.
“Once you hit 35 or 40,” Brown warns, “techniques stop working like they used to.” Adesanya’s unique style might not age well unless he tweaks it fundamentally. Think Bernard Hopkins over Prince Naseem Hamed—a shift towards fundamentals could prolong his career.
Brown believes in Adesanya’s potential but questions if it’s worth it anymore. After all, "The Last Stylebender" has already achieved so much. It’s not criticism; it’s reality. “His style worked until it didn’t,” Brown concludes. And that’s just how it goes sometimes.