News Israel Adesanya says he is "not going to fight for a long time" as he plans an extended UFC hiatus.

[KazDibiase]

Israel Adesanya plans to take an extended hiatus from MMA competition after he lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has been among the most active fighters on the roster over the past several years with five championship bouts over the past 20 months. He’s relished the chance to frequently grace the octagon, but felt it has started to catch up, and that was reflected in his massive upset loss to Strickland to drop the 185-pound belt at UFC 293 in September.

“Before this fight I was very like, ‘I know I’m on the back end of my career, so I want to do as many as I can because I know I’m done with this I’m going to miss it,'” Adesanya said on “The Rock” podcast. “I’m trying to do as much as I can. But after this fight, and again, 14 months and four fights, it’s not just the fights, it’s the training and everything. I had injuries going into the (Alex) Pereira fight, you’ve seen that. I don’t make any excuses. Strickland got me on the night because he was the better fighter on the night. He did his work well. He had a good team behind him.

“Now I’m going to take time to look after myself, and I’m not going to fight for a long time. I’m definitely not going to retire because I know me – I’m not leaving like that. I know me. But if I did, I’m fine. I don’t need to prove anything else. But I know what I can do and what I can change in my lifestyle to make my body adapt to where I need to be. I’m going to heal myself up. You won’t see me fight for a long time.”


Adesanya didn’t offer an exact timeline or potential opponents for his return. The 34-year-old felt now was the right time to step away, though.

After the title loss to Strickland, it was revealed Adesanya had been pulled over and charged with drink-driving just 18 days prior to UFC 293. He apologized for his poor decision-making, and vowed to improve himself going forward.

Adesanya said he’s embracing the chance to sit on the sidelines, especially if it gives the chance for his good friend Kamaru Usman to make a run at the middleweight belt. Usman will fight Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ notice as a replacement for Paulo Costa at UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, and UFC CEO Dana White has said the winner will fight Strickland for the belt next.


He isn’t sure if the UFC made a call to have him fight Chimaev on short notice, but Adesanya said he wouldn’t have taken it, anyway.

“I’m sure they called my team up and my team said, ‘He’s not fighting right now,'” Adesanya said. “‘Cause that would’ve been cool.”

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023...a-not-going-fight-long-time-retiring-from-mma

 

[You Will Vote For Dreyga]

Truly a sad day in MMA

His even though his greatness won’t truly be appreciated till years later he will be missed.

One of the most inspiring and captivating fighters in the history of the sport.

IZZYbless

 

[flektarn]

What losing to Strickland does to a mf

 

[HolmeZy55]

Israel Adesanya plans to take an extended hiatus from MMA competition after he lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland.

“Before this fight I was very like, ‘I know I’m on the back end of my career, so I want to do as many as I can because I know I’m done with this I’m going to miss it,'” Adesanya said on “The Rock” podcast. “I’m trying to do as much as I can. But after this fight, and again, 14 months and four fights, it’s not just the fights, it’s the training and everything. I had injuries going into the (Alex) Pereira fight, you’ve seen that. I don’t make any excuses. Strickland got me on the night because he was the better fighter on the night. He did his work well. He had a good team behind him.

“Now I’m going to take time to look after myself, and I’m not going to fight for a long time. I’m definitely not going to retire because I know me – I’m not leaving like that. I know me. But if I did, I’m fine. I don’t need to prove anything else. But I know what I can do and what I can change in my lifestyle to make my body adapt to where I need to be. I’m going to heal myself up. You won’t see me fight for a long time.”

Source - https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023...a-not-going-fight-long-time-retiring-from-mma

 

[Hellowhosthat]

If he retires then that makes Dricus the highest ranked African middleweight so he can't do that.

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

Israel Adesanya plans to take an extended hiatus from MMA competition after he lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland.

Adesanya (24-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) has been among the most active fighters on the roster over the past several years with five championship bouts over the past 20 months. He’s relished the chance to frequently grace the octagon, but felt it has started to catch up, and that was reflected in his massive upset loss to Strickland to drop the 185-pound belt at UFC 293 in September.

“Before this fight I was very like, ‘I know I’m on the back end of my career, so I want to do as many as I can because I know I’m done with this I’m going to miss it,'” Adesanya said on “The Rock” podcast. “I’m trying to do as much as I can. But after this fight, and again, 14 months and four fights, it’s not just the fights, it’s the training and everything. I had injuries going into the (Alex) Pereira fight, you’ve seen that. I don’t make any excuses. Strickland got me on the night because he was the better fighter on the night. He did his work well. He had a good team behind him.

“Now I’m going to take time to look after myself, and I’m not going to fight for a long time. I’m definitely not going to retire because I know me – I’m not leaving like that. I know me. But if I did, I’m fine. I don’t need to prove anything else. But I know what I can do and what I can change in my lifestyle to make my body adapt to where I need to be. I’m going to heal myself up. You won’t see me fight for a long time.”


Adesanya didn’t offer an exact timeline or potential opponents for his return. The 34-year-old felt now was the right time to step away, though.

After the title loss to Strickland, it was revealed Adesanya had been pulled over and charged with drink-driving just 18 days prior to UFC 293. He apologized for his poor decision-making, and vowed to improve himself going forward.

Adesanya said he’s embracing the chance to sit on the sidelines, especially if it gives the chance for his good friend Kamaru Usman to make a run at the middleweight belt. Usman will fight Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days’ notice as a replacement for Paulo Costa at UFC 294 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, and UFC CEO Dana White has said the winner will fight Strickland for the belt next.


He isn’t sure if the UFC made a call to have him fight Chimaev on short notice, but Adesanya said he wouldn’t have taken it, anyway.

“I’m sure they called my team up and my team said, ‘He’s not fighting right now,'” Adesanya said. “‘Cause that would’ve been cool.”

https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023...a-not-going-fight-long-time-retiring-from-mma

Like most Sherdoggers, I like to make fun of Adesanya, but he has been a very active fighter, and definitely the most active champion in recent history. He's fought 16 times since joining the UFC 5 years ago, and didn't duck any challengers.

He's 1-2 in his last 3 fights. Perhaps he's reached a mental and physical burnout point. I say he deserves this break, let his body and mind heal and reassess his future in fighting

 

[vinnie245]

Yeah he needs a break, hes been pretty much going non stop since he came into the UFC over 5 years ago.
It was pretty clear in the Strickland fight that hes burnt the fuck out, should take at least a year off.

 

[You Will Vote For Dreyga]

God bless brother

You have nothing to prove

Top Ten Greatest Fighters in History

 

[Davidjacksonjones]

Respect to Izzy
Rest up
Now he can spend more time with his loved ones, his friends, family, pet dog

 

[Senzo Tanaka]

Probably for the best. He looked like he didn't care in there and needs to find himself again. No need to come back fast just to prove yourself if you aren't feeling it.

People tend to forget that he has over 100 fights to his resume. Guys like Cain Velasquez had SEVENTEEN and were totally broken.

 

[Psychojoe86]

Reasonable decision. I bet he’ll take a year off and come back refreshed. 1 win and he’ll be back in title contention as well.

feel bad that he’ll likely miss ufc 300 but it is what it is

 

[EnthusiastCultivator]

Well deserved break. Like him or hate him, he truly fought anyone given to him and even took a chance to fight the big boys at LHW.

 

[Guy LeDouche]

“It takes a lot of energy to be a rockstar”
As silly as this quote is it’s quite on the money.

As GSP has stated, staying at the top of the game is what’s the hardest about being champion. Izzy has been fighting at the highest competitive level with very high activity. That’s not an easy thing to do mentally & physically. He looked checked out of his last fight too. (not taking anything away from Strickland)
Good for him, take a break. He’s earned it.

However, let’s be honest. Time is not on his side, he’s reaching the twilight of his career and if he decides to sit out too long it will be detrimental.

 

[Doughie99]

Truly a sad day in MMA

His even though his greatest won’t truly be appreciated till years later he will be missed.

One of the most inspiring and captivating fighters in the history of the sport.

IZZYbless

We'll have a collection here at Sherdog and FedEx you some Prozac to help you out in your impending depression.

Being serious, he'll probably fight again in 2nd half of 2024. That's my guess. So maybe 9 to 12months from now.

- Time flies it won't feel like long and UFC can be very persuasive when trying to entice fighters to fight again. Look how hard Dana tried with Khabib.

 

[Fengxian]

Truly a sad day in MMA

His even though his greatest won’t truly be appreciated till years later he will be missed.

One of the most inspiring and captivating fighters in the history of the sport.

IZZYbless

 

[svmr_db]

Good if he takes a year or so off and comes back refreshed, I think if he were to take 2+ years off though it would be a bit troubling for his prospects just in that he's probably not going to have a lot of success as a 36+ year old middleweight.

 

[WolverReem]

 

[swarrrm]

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Strickland era.

 

[nonoob]

Full support for his decision - his body needs to recuperate after his many, many, battles that have taken such a toll that hopefully he comes back from.

If he feels he doesn't still "have it" later on, he can be proud to retire after a great career that has surpassed the majority of almost all in MMA.

 

[PhilMcCavity]

God bless brother

You have nothing to prove

Top Ten Greatest Fighters in History

Fuck no he’s not