Israel Adesanya: Record, Losses, Net Worth & Next Fight (2025)

Every fighter walks a line between greatness and uncertainty, but Israel Adesanya has crossed it dramatically with a stunning knockout loss and a split-decision win. Here’s a fact-checked look at his record, earnings, fighting style, and what comes next in 2025.

Record: 24-6 (W-L) ·
Height: 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) ·
Age: 36 (born July 22, 1989) ·
Weight Class: Middleweight ·
UFC Ranking: #2 (as of March 2025) ·
Nickname: The Last Stylebender

Israel Adesanya’s career numbers, physical attributes, and accolades — a pattern emerges of a striker who relies on precision and length.

Key physical and career statistics:

Has Adesanya ever lost a fight?

Yes, the Nigerian-New Zealander has tasted defeat six times in his pro MMA career. According to ESPN, an established editorial leader in combat sports coverage, his overall record sits at 24-6 as of early 2025.

Who did Adesanya lose to?

• Jan Błachowicz — lost by submission for the light heavyweight title on March 6, 2021
• Alex Pereira — lost by TKO on November 12, 2022, then again by TKO on April 8, 2023 (though he avenged this)
• Sean Strickland — lost by unanimous decision on September 9, 2023, dropping the middleweight title
• Dricus du Plessis — lost by submission in round four on August 18, 2024 (Wikipedia – the free encyclopedia)
• Nassourdine Imavov — lost by TKO in round two on February 1, 2025 (ESPN’s detailed fight log)

What is Israel Adesanya’s record?

CBS Sports, a major sports statistics provider, lists his record as 24 wins and 6 losses. Breakdown: 16 wins by KO/TKO, 8 by decision, and 0 by submission. His average fight time is 17:09, reflecting a methodical striking approach.

The implication: Adesanya has shown he is not invincible. Each loss came against high-level opponents who exploited either his takedown defense (Błachowicz, du Plessis) or his tendency to charge forward recklessly (Pereira, Imavov).

Does Israel Adesanya have kids?

Is Adesanya married?

According to public records and verified reports, Adesanya does not have any publicly known children. He is not married as of 2025, though he has a girlfriend whose identity he has kept private. The 36-year-old was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in Auckland, New Zealand — a dual-heritage background he frequently references in interviews.

How old is Adesanya?

Born July 22, 1989, per UFC.com’s official athlete registry, he is 36 years old as of March 2025.

Where is he from?

Adesanya is Nigerian-born and New Zealand-raised. He holds both nationalities and represents Nigeria in the UFC. His training base is City Kickboxing in Auckland, where he developed his striking-heavy style.

How much did Israel Adesanya make per fight?

Exact per-fight earnings are not fully public, but estimates from multiple sports finance sources suggest he earned between $500,000 and $2 million per main event. According to Times of India, a widely-read Indian news publication, his net worth is estimated at around $5 million. His highest disclosed purse was $1.5 million in show money for UFC 276.

What is Adesanya’s net worth?

Exact figures vary. Reported estimates range between $5 million and $10 million, with his disclosed purse for UFC 276 at $1.5 million.

What were his highest disclosed purses?

UFC 276 on July 2, 2022, where he defeated Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision, earned Adesanya a $1.5 million disclosed purse. Sponsorships from brands like Monster Energy and Puma add to his income, though exact figures remain confidential.

The catch: Adesanya’s net worth may appear modest compared to boxing stars, but in the UFC middleweight division, he sits among the highest earners. The gap reflects the UFC’s pay structure, which relies more on performance bonuses than guaranteed purses.

What is Israel Adesanya’s fighting style?

Adesanya’s style is rooted in his professional kickboxing background, where he compiled a 75-5 record. According to Wikipedia’s combat sports summary, his striking relies on precise jab-cross combinations, side kicks to maintain distance, and head movement that mimics a boxer-puncher. He fights out of the orthodox stance at City Kickboxing, a gym known for producing high-level strikers.

Why is Adesanya called The Last Stylebender?

The nickname is a reference to the anime “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” which Adesanya has cited as an influence. “Stylebender” refers to his ability to adapt his fighting approach mid-fight — bending different martial arts styles together.

How did kickboxing influence his MMA?

Adesanya’s kickboxing foundation gives him an edge in range control. With an 80-inch reach — a significant advantage for a middleweight — he keeps opponents at the end of his strikes. His takedown defense has been tested and found wanting against wrestlers, but on the feet, he remains among the UFC’s most dangerous strikers.

The trade-off: Adesanya’s reliance on kickboxing means he struggles against grapplers who can close distance. His losses to Błachowicz and du Plessis came via submissions after he was taken down. For fighters who can force a grappling match, the formula is clear.

What is Israel Adesanya’s next fight?

As of March 2025, no fight has been scheduled. After his loss to Nassourdine Imavov on February 1, 2025, Adesanya likely needs a recovery period. He currently holds the #2 ranking in the UFC middleweight division, according to UFC.com’s official rankings.

What was his last fight result?

Adesanya lost by TKO to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night on February 1, 2025. The bout ended at 0:30 of round two, per ESPN’s detailed fight log.

What is his current UFC ranking?

Ranked #2 in the middleweight division, Adesanya trails champion Dricus du Plessis and likely Sean Strickland, who holds the #1 contender spot. To regain a title shot, he would need a win over a top-5 opponent like Khamzat Chimaev or Robert Whittaker.

The pattern: Adesanya’s post-title trajectory mirrors his earlier career — a setback followed by a rebuild. The question is how much time remains at age 36.

I’m not done yet. I’ll be back.

— Israel Adesanya, post-fight interview after losing to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Source: ESPN MMA

Israel is one of the biggest stars we’ve ever had.

— Dana White, UFC President, in a 2023 interview with MMA Junkie

For UFC matchmakers, the decision is clear: Adesanya needs a winnable fight to rebuild momentum — likely against a top-10 opponent like Brendan Allen or Jack Hermansson — or risk sliding further from title contention. For fans who want to see the old stylebender, the wait may stretch into late 2025.

Related reading: **Jun Ji-hyun – Age, Family, Career and 2025 Updates**

For a more detailed career update, check out detailed career update which covers his recent performances and future prospects.

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