Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya endured another setback on Saturday night, suffering a fourth straight defeat after being stopped by American contender Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night in Seattle.
Pyfer delivered a statement performance at the Climate Pledge Arena, sealing victory via technical knockout at 4:18 of the second round to extend his professional record to 16-3, while Adesanya dropped to 24-6.
The bout opened with promise for Adesanya, who showcased his trademark footwork and precision striking to take control of the first round.
However, Pyfer weathered the early storm and began to impose himself physically as the fight progressed.
Momentum shifted decisively in the second round when Pyfer backed Adesanya against the fence, executed a takedown, and advanced into a dominant full mount position.
From there, he unleashed relentless ground-and-pound, forcing referee Herb Dean to step in and halt the contest.
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Reacting after the win, Pyfer expressed confidence in his aggressive approach, declaring his intent to “search and destroy” inside the octagon.
Adesanya, meanwhile, struck a defiant tone despite the defeat, insisting he would continue pushing forward in his career.
The loss adds to a troubling run for the 36-year-old former champion, who has now fallen to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov in his previous outings.
With four consecutive defeats now on record, concerns are mounting over Adesanya’s standing in the middleweight division and what lies ahead for one of the sport’s most accomplished fighters.
For Pyfer, the victory marks a major breakthrough, extending his winning streak and strengthening his credentials as a rising force in the division, with potential title contention now firmly within reach.