Joe Pyfer hit back at retirement calls aimed at Israel Adesanya after their fight at UFC Seattle extended the former champ’s skid.
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya’s ongoing skid continued in the Octagon at UFC Seattle last Saturday. Joe Pyfer, who recently entered the middleweight Top 15, defeated Adesanya by second-round TKO in a shocking main event finish.
It was the latest in a series of struggles for Adesanya since defeating Alex Pereira in their UFC 287 rematch. Since knocking out Pereira, Adesanya has lost four consecutive fights, including recent losses to Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus du Plessis.
The 36-year-old Adesanya’s latest setback led two UFC Hall of Fame inductees, Michael Bisping and Demetrious Johnson, to call for the former middleweight champion to hang up the gloves. Despite calls from fans and fellow fighters to retire, Pyfer believes Adesanya still has plenty of juice left in his tank to snap his losing streak.
Joe Pyfer: Israel Adesanya ‘still competing at the highest level’ after UFC Seattle
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Pyfer responded to calls for Adesanya to hang up the gloves after UFC Seattle.
“I think people are being really hard on him,” Pyfer said of Adesanya. “It’s really upsetting to see all the comments. That’s part of why I’m not super excited — one man’s victory is another man’s suffering.
“I know Izzy’s set for life, but all the people that are saying negative stuff about him — ‘This guy should just retire,’ this and that — the guy had a competitive fight with me. I’m 29 years old. I’m young, one of the hardest hitters in the division. I’m not a small guy; I’m a very powerful dude. He did very well. He looked good, he looked hungry. He looked like he wanted to be there. When you’re fighting at this level, anybody can win.
“He’s still competing at the highest level,” Pyfer continued. “The only guys he lost to before me were the top guys in the top five. So, give the guy some grace. … I wish the fans would show more love than they do hate.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Pyfer’s win over Adesanya puts the Dana White’s Contender Series alum in position for a potential middleweight title shot. Meanwhile, Adesanya remains optimistic about a return to the Octagon after UFC Seattle, although it remains to be seen if his ongoing struggles will come to an end.
Do you think Israel Adesanya can end his ongoing UFC losing skid? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
