Joe Pyfer: Israel Adesanya still 'one of the best' despite 0-3 run
Joe Pyfer still sees Israel Adesanya as one of the best middleweights in the world despite his recent struggles.
Israel Adesanya is certainly not in his best career moment, but that doesn't change the way his opponent Joe Pyfer sees him. Pyfer (15-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC), a rising contender at 185 pounds, takes on the former middleweight champion this in the main event of UFC Fight Night 271 ( Paramount+ ), which takes place Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. Since reclaiming the belt against Alex Pereira in 2023, Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) has gone 0-3.
He lost his belt to Sean Strickland in a big upset, then failed to get the title back from Dricus Du Plessis in 2024, and most recently, was stopped by Nassourdine Imavov in 2025. Despite the defeats, Pyfer refuses to let Adesanya's latest run cloud him on the former champ's abilities. "I think it's literally just him fighting top-notch talent, right?
" Pyfer told MMA Junkie. "Like all three of his losses of late have been by guys that are literally above him. And he's No.
4. He was No. 6.