UFC Seattle’s Israel Adesanya believes Joe Pyfer ‘will shoot early’ because ‘they always do’ – ‘My stand up is a different level’
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 25: UFC middleweight fighter Israel Adesanya speaks onstage during UFC Fight Night: Adesanya v Pyfer Media Day on March 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) | Getty Images Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya returns from the longest layoff of his professional career to face knockout artist Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle this weekend (Sat. , March 28, 2026) inside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
For the first time in his storied career, “The Last Stylebender” finds himself in unfamiliar territory — riding a three-fight losing streak, including back-to-back finishes . Still, the 36-year-old remains confident he can remind everyone exactly who he is and put on a show. “You know how the game is — people say ‘you’re only as good as your last fight’,” Adesanya said during UFC Seattle media day.
“When I’m done this weekend, I want people to be like, ‘Wow, f—k how did I ever doubt him? How did I ever think he was done? Like what the f—k was I thinking?
’ That’s the story I want to write this weekend. ” Standing across from him will be a dangerous finisher in Pyfer, who has built his reputation on highlight-reel knockouts ( watch highlights ) — but Adesanya expects a different approach once the cage door shuts. “I believe he’s going to shoot quite early because they know — they always do.
I make them,” Adesanya told CBS Sports. “My stand up is just a different game, a different level. But if he wants to stand with me, I welcome it.