If Israel Adesanya is ‘washed’, one UFC middleweight wants to take out the laundry.
The former two-time UFC Champion has had better days. Once 20-0 as a pro, Israel Adesanya is now on the worst skid of his fighting career at three losses in a row.
Of course, Adesanya didn’t lose to nobodies. ‘The Last Stylebender’ dropped a decision to Sean Strickland, a submission to Dricus du Plessis, and was knocked out by top contender Nassourdine Imavov in February.
Ranked #4 during a very interesting time in the middleweight division, Adesanya will look to return to winning ways in his next fight.
While he’s no longer the champion, Adesanya still has a target on his back at 185 lbs.
Brendan Allen challenges Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC return
Adesanya recently shared a message to his doubters who insist the former champion is ‘washed’ or past his prime at 36 years old.
“People say I’m washed, but they’ve never been in the f—— laundry,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
Adesanya is 1-4 in his last five fights, with his most recent win a ‘perfect’ highlight-reel knockout over Alex Pereira in 2023.
After returning to the win column against Marvin Vettori at UFC 318 a month ago, #9-ranked UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen sent a message to Adesanya following his ‘washed’ comments.
“Well let’s see about it,” Allen wrote on Instagram.
“U ready for november @stylebender,” Allen called out Adesanya to a fight.
Allen has won eight out of his last ten fights, which is a very impressive feat in the UFC. Allen has only lost to Nassourdine Imavov and Anthony Hernandez, both of whom could be fighting for the middleweight title soon.
The 29-year-old made headlines for taking aim at Dricus du Plessis following his title loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last weekend.
Israel Adesanya hasn’t fought outside the top 5 since 2019
‘All In’ would be Adesanya’s first opponent outside the middleweight top-five since Anderson Silva at UFC 234 in 2019.
From then on, it’s been former champion after former champion, top contender after top contender for Adesanya.
Adesanya never fought below a #5 ranking when he was champion. Post-title reign, ‘Contender Izzy’ still has yet to break that trend.
We’ll see if 17-fight UFC veteran and #9-ranked contender Brendan Allen gets the opportunity to fight Adesanya next.