LAGOS, NIGERIA — Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya says he will not come out of retirement once he decides to walk away from fighting. He cited guidance from UFC legend Georges St-Pierre.
Adesanya made the statement during a recent interview. He said St-Pierre advised him to stay retired once he makes the decision. He said he plans to follow that advice.
St-Pierre’s Advice
Georges St-Pierre retired from MMA in 2013. He returned in 2017 to win the middleweight title. He then retired again. He has stayed retired since then.
Adesanya said he spoke to St-Pierre about retirement. He said the Canadian legend told him not to make the same mistake he did.
“GSP told me, ‘When you retire, stay retired.’ He said coming back was not worth it. I respect his advice. I will not come back,” Adesanya said.
Adesanya’s Career
Adesanya is one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. He has held the middleweight title twice. He has beaten some of the best fighters in the division.
His rivalry with Alex Pereira is one of the most memorable in UFC history. He lost to Pereira twice in kickboxing. He then beat him in the UFC to reclaim the title.
Adesanya has also faced Robert Whittaker, Yoel Romero, and Paulo Costa. He has a record of 24 wins and 4 losses.
Current Status
Adesanya is currently taking a break from fighting. He has not fought since his loss to Nassourdine Imavov in 2025. He said he is focusing on his health and his family.
He has not announced his retirement. But he said he is considering it. He said he will make a decision soon.
What This Means
Adesanya’s statement is a clear indication that he is planning for life after fighting. He has other interests outside the sport. He is a musician and a businessman.
His fans will be sad to see him go. But they will respect his decision. He has given them many memorable moments.
What Happens Next
Adesanya will continue to train and stay fit. He said he will make a decision about his future soon. For now, he is enjoying his time away from the cage.
Whenever he decides to retire, he will leave behind a legacy as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
