Ali Akbar RosadyIsrael Adesanya, one of mixed martial arts’ most celebrated and decorated fighters, recently revealed that an unexpected injury prevented him from accepting a short-notice fight last fall, potentially against former ONE Championship two-division champion Reinier de Ridder. The revelation comes as "The Last Stylebender" navigates the longest layoff of his illustrious career, following his unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, where he surrendered his middleweight title.
Adesanya, a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion with a professional record of 24 wins and 3 losses, had initially intended to take an extended break after his championship defeat. Speaking candidly on his YouTube channel, the Nigerian-New Zealander detailed his post-fight mindset and the unexpected opportunity that arose. "A year without fighting. I’ve never done that before in this game," Adesanya stated, reflecting on his current hiatus. "So this is new territory, uncharted territory, and it’s exciting."
He elaborated on his initial post-fight period, emphasizing a desire for rest rather than an immediate return to competition. "I came back home, and I was just back into the regular flow of things. There was no inkling like, ‘I need to fight again. I need to fight soon.’ I was just like, nah, I’m going to chill for a bit. I wasn’t hurt from the fight itself. I just took the time to just do me."
However, this planned period of rest was nearly interrupted by a compelling, albeit unforeseen, offer. Adesanya disclosed that he was approached for a short-notice bout in the latter part of last year. "I was going to fight last year, but then I got injured in the gym, and then that opportunity got taken away. It was a short-notice fight, as well. And I’ve never done one of those, so that would have been exciting." The prospect of stepping into the Octagon on limited preparation was a new challenge for Adesanya, who has built his career on meticulously planned training camps and strategic approaches.
Related News :
- Chandler Dominates Mendes at RAF 3, Issues Bold Challenge to Burroughs as Buckley and Guida Suffer Decisive Technical Falls
- UFC Qatar: Contender Showdowns Set to Shape Future Divisional Landscapes
- UFC 324 Readies for Las Vegas Return, Interim Lightweight Title on the Line.
- MMA’s Monumental 2025 Season Concludes: A Retrospective on Predictions and Paradigm Shifts
- Gerard Burns Levels Scathing ‘Boring Fighter’ Accusation at Muhammad Mokaev Ahead of BRAVE CF Title Bout.
The opponent in question, according to Adesanya, was an individual he referred to as "RDR." He subsequently identified this fighter as Reinier de Ridder, the formidable Dutch martial artist known as "The Dutch Knight" and a former two-division champion in ONE Championship, holding both the middleweight and light heavyweight belts. "RDR. On five weeks’ notice, six weeks’ notice," Adesanya recounted. "I was already training, so I was getting ready for a fight. So it would have been like, ‘Right, I’ve never done this before. You’re fit. Hop in there.’ But then that moment got taken away from me."
Reinier de Ridder (16-2 MMA) is a highly respected grappling specialist, holding black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. His impressive career in ONE Championship saw him go undefeated for a significant period, capturing two world titles and defending them with submission prowess and dominant ground control. While de Ridder primarily competes in Asia’s premier MMA promotion, the revelation of a potential matchup with Adesanya, a global UFC superstar, would have marked an unprecedented cross-promotional event, stirring considerable excitement among fight fans worldwide. The logistics of such a bout, involving two top-tier athletes from different major organizations, would have been complex, underscoring the unique nature of the opportunity that Adesanya felt compelled to consider.
Ultimately, Adesanya’s own injury, sustained during training, rendered him unable to accept the short-notice assignment. Despite the initial disappointment of missing out on a novel experience, Adesanya now views the setback through a lens of hindsight. "But that’s, in hindsight, the best thing. Even though I wasn’t happy with it then, it was the best thing," he reflected. This perspective suggests that the enforced rest, though frustrating at the time, may have served a greater purpose in his physical and mental recovery, allowing him to fully reset after a demanding period at the sport’s pinnacle.
Adesanya’s career has been characterized by an almost relentless pace, with multiple title fights and high-profile bouts against elite competition. From his explosive rise through the middleweight ranks, culminating in his first championship win over Robert Whittaker in 2019, to his memorable victories over the likes of Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero, and his dramatic knockout redemption against Alex Pereira, "The Last Stylebender" has consistently delivered captivating performances. The psychological and physical demands of maintaining such a high level of competition are immense, making a sustained break a potentially crucial element for longevity in the sport.
Now, after an extended period away from competition, Adesanya is poised for his highly anticipated return. He is scheduled to face surging contender Joe Pyfer in an upcoming main event bout. While the exact date and location of this fight are subject to official announcements, the matchup itself represents a fresh challenge for the former champion and a significant opportunity for Pyfer.
Joe "Bodybagz" Pyfer (12-2 MMA) has rapidly ascended the UFC middleweight ladder since earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. Known for his aggressive, powerful striking and a penchant for early finishes, Pyfer has secured four consecutive victories in the UFC, with three of those coming by knockout or technical knockout. His recent performances, including dominant wins over Abdul Razak Alhassan, Gerald Meerschaert, and Alonzo Menifield, have established him as a legitimate threat in the division. A victory over a fighter of Adesanya’s caliber would undoubtedly propel Pyfer into immediate title contention, marking the biggest fight of his professional career.
Adesanya approaches this return with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to showcase an expanded skillset. His quotes reflect a fighter eager to reaffirm his dominance and display his evolution. "My ego is still – I want to shine," Adesanya declared. "That’s the thing, I always want to shine. And I will shine. So, I can’t wait. I know I can do, and I feel like people haven’t seen my full array of skills yet, and I just want to show off a lot of skills that I haven’t showed off yet. So, in these fights, not that I’m going to be looking for them, but you’ll see. You’ll see me do things I’ve never done before, because I feel like they’ll be presented to me."
He emphasized a focus on the craft and artistry of fighting, transcending mere victory. "I just want to show off," Adesanya added. "I just want to show skills. I want to display skills, you know? It’s about skills now, making money, making memories, making history." This statement encapsulates the mindset of a veteran champion seeking to redefine his legacy and push the boundaries of his own capabilities, rather than simply chasing another title. His upcoming bout against Joe Pyfer will serve as the first test of this renewed philosophy, with the MMA world keenly watching to see what new dimensions "The Last Stylebender" brings to the Octagon after his longest absence.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAFebruary 10, 2026UFC 324: Interim Lightweight Title at Stake as Gaethje Meets Pimblett in Las Vegas Main Event
MMAFebruary 10, 2026Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya Discloses Injury Halted Planned Short-Notice Bout Against ‘RDR’.
MMAFebruary 10, 2026UFC 325: Volkanovski Seeks Featherweight Supremacy in Sydney Rematch Against Lopes, Expert Model Previews Full Card- MMAFebruary 10, 2026Key Victories at UFC Vegas 113 Reshape Divisional Landscapes and Spark Matchmaking Intrigue
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
Jonas Leo