Israel Adesanya critiques Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight title reign: ‘He should be an active champion’
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 31: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria is seen on stage during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at anb Arena on January 31, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Israel Adesanya returns to action this weekend at UFC Seattle against Joe Pyfer, and despite not having the middleweight title any more he does have thoughts on current champion Khamzat Chimaev. From 2019 to 2024, all twelve of Adesanya’s fights had him either fighting for or defending a belt.
He’s fallen out of the contender’s circle after three losses in a row, and now it’s Khamzat Chimaev who sits atop the 185 pound division. The only problem? “Borz” isn’t active enough for Izzy’s taste.
“He did well to get the belt, but I’m not sure what’s holding him up or why,” Adesanya told Paramount’s Brian Campbell. “Maybe it was visa issues. I’m not sure.
I don’t really follow the MMA news as much, so I’m not sure what’s holding it up. Because I felt like he would be an active champion. He should be an active champion because he’s a guy that likes to fight a lot when he was coming up, just like me.
” “But when I got the belt, I didn’t let that slow me down. I was active. I was calling out everybody.