Imagine if Israel Adesanya had stepped into the Octagon twice in 2025—a thrilling prospect that almost became reality. But here’s where it gets controversial: the former middleweight champion was on the verge of accepting a short-notice bout against Reinier de Ridder last year, a fight that could have reshaped the middleweight landscape. So, what really happened? Let’s dive in.
Adesanya, known as The Last Stylebender, is set to make his highly anticipated return against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle on March 28. This marks his first fight since a second-round TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2024. But in a recent YouTube video, Adesanya revealed a surprising twist: he was ready to take on de Ridder in October 2023, but a training injury derailed the plan. And this is the part most people miss: Adesanya has never taken a short-notice fight, making this missed opportunity even more intriguing.
De Ridder was originally slated to face Anthony Hernandez at UFC Vancouver, but when Hernandez withdrew due to injury, the door opened for a potential Adesanya showdown. Instead, Brendan Allen stepped in, securing a fourth-round stoppage over the former ONE Championship two-division title holder. Adesanya reflected on the missed chance, saying, ‘I was already training, so it would’ve been like, ‘Right, I’ve never done this before. You’re fit. Hop in there.’ But fate had other plans.
Here’s the bold question: Was it a blessing in disguise that Adesanya didn’t take that fight? While he expressed disappointment at the time, he now sees it as a fortunate turn of events. But let’s not forget—Adesanya’s hunger to compete remains unshakable. Despite losing four of his last five fights, the Nigerian-born Kiwi is determined to reclaim his spotlight. ‘I want to shine,’ he declared. ‘I feel like people haven’t seen my full array of skills yet.’
As he prepares to face Pyfer, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum with a 6-1 UFC record, Adesanya promises to unveil new dimensions of his game. ‘You’ll see me do things I’ve never done before,’ he teased. But here’s the real debate: Can Adesanya truly reinvent himself, or is his peak behind him? Sound off in the comments—we want to hear your take!
