“Winnable for Izzy” – Dana White Announcing Israel Adesanya’s Return for UFC Seattle Has Fans Hyped

UFC CEO Dana White announces Israel Adesanya's return to the Octagon against a rising star at UFC Seattle in March.

“Winnable for Izzy” – Dana White Announcing Israel Adesanya’s Return for UFC Seattle Has Fans Hyped

Dana White announces Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer (via MMA Mania, Instagram)

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UFC CEO Dana White has officially confirmed that Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer will meet in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Seattle on March 28, 2026. This middleweight bout is set to take place at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, as the headline attraction of the card. The event is scheduled under the designation UFC Fight Night 271 and will be part of the promotion’s early‑year slate.

Adesanya enters the bout as a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, having held the belt from 2019 to 2023. His recent run in the Octagon includes three consecutive losses, with his most recent defeat coming via technical knockout to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025. Prior to that, he lost the middleweight title to Sean Strickland and submitted to Dricus Du Plessis in a subsequent title fight.

Pyfer will make what many consider the biggest appearance of his career. Pyfer is currently ranked #15 in the 185-pound division. In his UFC tenure, the Pennsylvania native has registered three straight victories leading into this matchup, including wins over Marc‑Andre Barriault, Kelvin Gastelum, and Abus Magomedov. His lone UFC defeat came at UFC Vegas 86, where he lost to Jack Hermansson.

After the Imavov loss, questions emerged about Adesanya’s future following consecutive defeats and declining performances. Many believed the result could signal a possible retirement from competition. Despite that, Adesanya continued training and remained committed to fighting. His return against Pyfer shows he still intends to compete at the highest level and chase another title opportunity.

Alongside the Adesanya vs. Pyfer main event, Dana White also announced additional key matchups. A women’s flyweight rematch between former champion Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber was confirmed as a featured bout. White also revealed Paulo Costa’s move up to the light heavyweight division. Costa is scheduled to face undefeated contender Azamat Murzakanov in his divisional debut at UFC 327.

The Adesanya‑Pyfer fight is scheduled for the standard five‑round main event. It represents a critical juncture for both competitors: Israel Adesanya seeks to halt his losing streak, while Joe Pyfer aims to cement his status among the division’s elite. Rankings on fight night place Adesanya near the top contenders despite recent setbacks, while Pyfer continues to rise through the middleweight standings.

Fans react to Dana White announcing Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer

Israel Adesanya’s long-standing popularity has made him a fan favorite ahead of the Joe Pyfer matchup. Supporters often point to his striking style and championship run, including wins over Alex Pereira and Robert Whittaker. Many fans are rooting for him to halt his recent losing streak as the Seattle main event is widely seen as a chance for ‘The Last Stylebender’ to return to the win column.

Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer
Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer (via Instagram, MMA Fighting)

Some fans have rallied behind Joe Pyfer, pointing to his reputation for explosive knockout power at middleweight. Supporters of Pyfer have expressed concern for Israel Adesanya, noting recent stoppage losses and durability questions. The stylistic contrast has fueled debate across the fanbase. Many view the American’s power as a serious threat if the fight turns into a prolonged striking exchange.

The age gap between the two fighters has also been a major talking point among fans. Joe Pyfer enters the matchup at 29 years old, while Israel Adesanya is 36. Many fans see the fight as a test of youth and momentum against experience and mileage. The contrast has fueled discussion about where each fighter stands in their respective career arcs.

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