Adesanya Slams UFC Middleweight Division as 'Bland'
Israel Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, has spoken out about the current state of the 185-pound division, calling it "bland" and lacking the excitement it once had under his reign.
Adesanya's Critique
Adesanya, who has been away from the sport for a significant period, believes that the UFC middleweight division has lost its star power and emotional appeal since his departure. "I [was champion] twice. It can happen again. I'm still me," Adesanya told Uncrowned. "The middleweight division right now is not really the same as when I was in the game. I know they like me as champion, but it's not really my main focus. When it comes, it comes."
He continued, "What was the last exciting thing at middleweight? Where people were talking about it. It's good to have Khamzat [Chimaev] as champion — that was the last exciting thing. Since then, there's not really been anything that feels [interesting]. It just doesn’t feel the same as when I was in the game."
A New Perspective
Adesanya's critique is not rooted in bitterness but rather in observation. Having seen the sport from the top, he understands the business side of MMA and the cycles of star power. During his reigns, the middleweight division was not just competitive but also emotional, with rivalries and narratives that carried the weight class forward.
Now, Adesanya is set to return to the octagon on March 28 at UFC Seattle, where he will face Joe Pyfer in the main event. The matchup is seen as a volatile one, with Pyfer bringing raw physicality and a knockout threat. Adesanya sees this as the perfect challenge to test his skills after his hiatus.
The Fighter's Mindset
Adesanya, 36, has undergone a significant shift in mindset since his time away from the sport. "I'm tainted because I've seen the game from the inside now, so I don't have the rose-colored glasses, obviously, but I love the pure art. The pureness of fighting," he said. "This is one thing; I've taken a lot of time off. This is the biggest hiatus of my career."
He added, "The end is always around the corner. F***, we could all go outside and get run over by a f***ing bus. The end's always around the corner, so I just try and live in the moment and take each moment as it comes. Enjoy the moment, really soak it in. I can do that now. There's no pressure to worry about other people. I just worry about myself."
The Road Ahead
Adesanya's return to the octagon comes at a time when the UFC middleweight division is in need of a spark. With his unique skills and charisma, Adesanya could once again elevate the division to new heights. However, he remains focused on his own journey and is not looking to chase belts or validation.
"I feel freer than I ever have," Adesanya said. "I know the game — I can’t be mad at the game, and you can’t be jaded. I’m just tainted, but I’m also blessed that I got to see the game from the inside, and I got to see it at the very top. The tippy, tippy, tippy top. I'm still right there, but I understand how the game is played, so I play accordingly, and I play it very well. This is just a new level."
As Adesanya prepares for his return, fans and analysts alike are eager to see what the future holds for the former champion. Whether he can rekindle the excitement in the middleweight division remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Israel Adesanya is back, and the MMA world is taking notice.
