Michael Chiesa has offered his perspective on Israel Adesanya’s recent run of defeats and uncertain path forward, as the former middleweight champion continues through the roughest stretch of his career.
Speaking on “The Bohnfire” podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, Chiesa reflected on Adesanya’s current four-fight losing streak, which includes defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov, and Joe Pyfer. Adesanya, now 24-6 in MMA and 13-6 in the UFC, has not won since April 2023, when he knocked out Alex Pereira to reclaim the middleweight title, and has been finished in his past three outings.
“It makes you wonder how much he had to put in that last fight with Alex. How much did that take out of him?” Chiesa said.
Despite the skid, Adesanya stated after his TKO loss to Pyfer on March 28 that he has no intention of retiring. Chiesa urged fans to remember Adesanya’s peak. “I hope people don't forget how great he is. It's like the B.J. Penn thing. People forget how great B.J. Penn was because of the skid that he went on and kind of the same thing with Tony Ferguson. I just hope that Izzy doesn't fall into that category, because he was incredible.”
Chiesa also highlighted Adesanya’s willingness to stay active. “You have to appreciate Izzy while you had him because he fought so much. Whoever the next guy was in line, he never said no. Yes, at all times. Was fighting every three months in main event, in big spots. To me, one of my favorite fights of all fighters.”
