Adesanya suffers fourth straight defeat, beaten by Pyfer

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya suffered his fourth consecutive defeat after losing to American contender Joe Pyfer via technical knockout at UFC Fight Night on Saturday night.

Adesanya started the fight strong, showcasing the striking skill that once made him one of the UFC’s most dominant fighters. He controlled the opening round with sharp, precise attacks, giving fans hope he could end his losing streak.

Pyfer absorbed the early pressure and retaliated with a series of powerful punches and a takedown.

The momentum, however, changed in round two as Pyfer (16-3) secured a career-defining victory, stopping Adesanya (24-6) at 4:18 of the second round at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, USA.

Pyfer pinned the Nigerian-New Zealand national against the fence before taking him to the canvas, advancing to full mount and unleashing sustained ground-and-pound, prompting referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.

The defeat marks Adesanya’s fourth straight loss, raising questions about the 36-year-old’s future in the middleweight division.

He had previously lost to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov, who stopped him in February 2025 in Saudi Arabia.

The victory over a former champion, Pyfer four-fight winning streak, strengthens his position as a rising contender and could move him closer to title contention.

Adesanya now faces a critical crossroads in his career. After four straight defeats, the 35-year-old will need to reevaluate his path if he hopes to return to elite form.