Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken on the future of his UFC division, while also addressing a potential attempt into boxing before retiring, PUNCH Sports Extra reports
The Nigerian-born New Zealand resident, who faces Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle on March 28, dismissed the idea of a boxing switch despite his reputation as one of the greatest strikers in mixed martial arts.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Adesanya explained that he preferred having all his weapons available rather than being restricted to just punches.
“I have my price… It’s a lot. The only people that can make it happen is Saudi (Arabia)… I never want to get tempted to do it (boxing). I wanna finish in Ultimate Fighting (Championship). I don’t wanna get nerfed. I wanna fight with all my weapons. I wanna be able to kick someone in the face if I have to… So, yeah. Nah,” the 36-year-old said.
Adesanya, who has a professional record of 24-5 with 16 knockout victories, holds the record for the second-longest winning streak in middleweight division history behind Anderson Silva.
The former two-time champion also criticised the current state of the UFC middleweight division, describing it as “bland” compared to when he was champion.
“The middleweight division right now isn’t really the same as when I was in the game. What was the last exciting thing at middleweight? Exciting, and people were talking about it… It’s good they have Khamzat as champion. That was probably the last exciting thing, becoming champion,” Adesanya said.
“I gave people someone to love. I gave some people someone to hate. Gave them something to feel, whether they loved me or hated me. Right now, it just feels bland. Other divisions are way more exciting.”
Adesanya is currently on a three-fight losing streak and will enter his bout against Pyfer as the betting underdog for the first time in his professional career.