Adesanya vs Pyfer: Start time, card and how to watch UFC Seattle fight
Former middleweight king Israel Adesanya faces a dangerous foe, as he takes on rising contender Joe Pyfer
Israel Adesanya is in a must-win match-up this weekend, and while it’s not the first time he’s been in such a fight, the stakes really are higher than ever as he faces Joe Pyfer. Adesanya’s previous “must-win” fights have related to his place in the middleweight title picture , but now, a defeat might truly mark the end of his UFC career. Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will enter Seattle on a three-fight losing streak, having lost two title fights before suffering a TKO by Nassourdine Imavov last February.
The Nigerian-born New Zealander is also somewhat long in the tooth at 36, while his opponent this weekend is at the other end of his career . Pyfer, 29 years old, is 6-1 in the UFC, having recovered well from his sole loss in the promotion to win his last three. In the middle of that recent run was a decision win over ex-title challenger Kelvin Gastelum, whom Adesanya famously outpointed in an all-time classic in 2019.
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (Getty Images) Notably, Pyfer’s win against Gastelum was one of just two decision victories in his career; the American has secured 13 of his 15 wins via stoppage, with 9 KOs and 4 submissions. So, former kickboxer Adesanya must be at his slickest to avoid danger here . Here’s all you need to know.
When is the fight? The prelims will begin at 9pm BST (2pm PT / 4pm CT / 5pm ET), with the main card following at 12am BST on Sunday (5pm PT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET on Saturday). How can I watch it?