Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has responded to critics calling him “washed” after his third consecutive defeat, this time against Nassourdine Imavov.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Nigerian-New Zealander, who has lost four of his last five fights—three by stoppage—addressed the backlash during a YouTube “Ask Me Anything” session.
“They call me washed, but how can you call me washed when you haven’t even been in laundry? You haven’t even gotten dirty. What have you done?” the 35-year-old shot back.
Adesanya, known as “The Last Stylebender,” started strong against Imavov but lost momentum in the second round, ultimately suffering a TKO defeat.
Despite his recent struggles, Adesanya remains confident about his future in the sport.
“Do I have a title shot in mind? No! When I got to the UFC, I never chased the belt. I stand on that. I never chased the belt—I expected it,” he said.
“I expected to be champion… I expected to reach this level because of the work I put in, my belief in myself, and my mindset. I knew I would get there. I expected it.”
Adesanya’s decline began with a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024, followed by two more stoppage defeats—marking a stark contrast to his earlier dominance.
Despite this rough patch, the former champion, who previously excelled in boxing and kickboxing before his MMA success, has vowed to return stronger, showcasing the resilience that has defined his career.
