Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has lost five of his last six fights including four in a row.
“The Last Stylebender” was stopped in the second round by Joe Pyfer in last Saturday’s UFC Seattle main event and former champion Michael Bisping would have liked to see the 36 year-old Adesanya retire following the loss.
“I wish in a way that Israel would have retired on Saturday night, okay? And say, ‘You know what? I did it. I achieved my goals. I got here. I was a champion in kickboxing. I came over to mixed martial arts I was able to beat all these fighters. I was able to stop takedowns. I was able to become a champion, a dominant champion. I’ve made money. I’ve built a brand for myself. I’ve opened up doors to a great post-fight career. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the support from everyone all over the world,’ and put the gloves down in the octagon,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel.
“But he didn’t say that. He said he’s coming back again and again and again. And you know what? Fair play to the guy,” continued Bisping. “He took some heavy shots from Joe Pyfer. Right? And back in the day, that wouldn’t have happened, okay? Because he’s getting older and he’s slowing down. But of course, as fighters we sometimes need protection from ourselves. I’m not saying I disagree with Israel Adesanya for not retiring. I would have liked to have seen it because I think he’s given this sport enough.”
Regardless what happens in the remainder of Adesanya’s fighting career, his legacy has been etched in stone. He’s a two-time UFC champion. He was inducted in the UFC Hall of Fame last year. No amount of losses will erase that.
