Israel Adesanya Declares No Return After Retirement

Israel Adesanya, the UFC middleweight champion, stated that he will not return to fighting after he retires. The 37-year-old fighter has lost his last four matches, three of which were by stoppage, with his last victory being a knockout against Alex Pereira in 2023.

In a video on his YouTube channel with friend and training partner Alexander Volkanovski, Adesanya discussed his retirement plans, emphasizing the importance of avoiding the pitfalls that many fighters encounter after their careers end. He mentioned the allure of accolades and the spotlight, which can tempt fighters to return.

Adesanya expressed a desire for excitement in other forms, such as participating in risky activities or acting, revealing he had previously turned down two significant film roles due to title defenses. He plans to fight approximately twice a year instead of four times and credited Georges St-Pierre for providing valuable guidance regarding life after fighting.