Israel Adesanya Explains Reason Behind Turning Down Reinier De Ridder Fight

Israel Adesanya reveals how an injury stopped him from competing on short notice against Reinier De Ridder in October 2025.

Israel Adesanya Explains Reason Behind Turning Down Reinier De Ridder Fight

Israel Adesanya reveals failed Reinier De Ridder matchup (via MMA Mania, X)

In Short
  • Israel Adesanya turned down a fight against Reinier De Ridder in 2025 due to an injury.
  • His last fight was a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025, marking a long inactivity period.
  • Adesanya is set to return against Joe Pyfer on March 28, 2026, with discussions about his potential retirement ongoing.

Israel Adesanya was once among the most active champions on the UFC roster, proving his dominance through elite kickboxing performances that set him apart at middleweight. However, recent setbacks have disrupted that rhythm and slowed his activity. Adesanya has since revealed he would have returned in late 2025 if an injury had not halted a proposed bout against rising contender Reinier De Ridder.

Adesanya has been out of competition since his knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025, marking the longest inactive stretch of his UFC career. Before that setback, he suffered a submission defeat to Dricus du Plessis, a result that further shifted the middleweight hierarchy. That skid began earlier when he lost the UFC title by decision to Sean Strickland, ending his championship reign.

Doubts about a potential retirement surfaced following the Imavov loss, as Adesanya’s inactivity continued into late 2025. Those questions were put to rest after the UFC officially announced his return against Joe Pyfer on March 28 at UFC Seattle. Adesanya has also clarified that he intended to return much earlier, but an injury prevented him from taking a short-notice bout against De Ridder.

I was going to fight last year, but then I got injured in the gym, and then that opportunity got taken away. It was a short-notice fight, as well. And I’ve never done one of those, so that would have been exciting. RDR. On five weeks’ notice, six weeks’ notice, I was already training, so I was getting ready for a fight. So it would have been like, ‘Right, I’ve never done this before. You’re fit. Hop in there.’ But then that moment got taken away from me. But that’s, in hindsight, the best thing. Even though I wasn’t happy with it then, it was the best thing.

Israel Adesanya via YouTube

The bout Adesanya referenced ultimately became De Ridder’s first loss in the UFC, as he was originally scheduled to face Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez. That matchup fell apart after Hernandez was forced to withdraw, prompting a late change in opponents. Brendan Allen stepped in on short notice and went on to secure a TKO victory, handing the Dutch contender his first setback inside the promotion.

Adesanya’s 2025 setback was not his first notable injury, with a significant leg issue occurring earlier in his career. During his title defense against Alex Pereira at UFC 281, he sustained damage to the peroneal nerve in his leg, which impeded his movement as the fight progressed. That compromised mobility contributed to the late TKO loss and required medical attention afterward, marking his first loss in the UFC.

At 36, Israel Adesanya is undeniably in the latter stage of his career, with each outing carrying greater significance than before. Persistent injuries and recent losses have fueled ongoing discussion about potential retirement. As a result, his March matchup against Joe Pyfer looms as a pivotal moment. The bout may determine whether ‘Stylebender’ continues competing or begins transitioning away from competition.

Israel Adesanya is testing his limits for upcoming UFC return

Israel Adesanya is known for extreme training methods that have made him one of the UFC’s most disciplined and standout performers. He consistently displays exceptional athleticism inside the Octagon, blending speed, timing, and coordination at an elite level. Adesanya also follows a unique approach to preparation, routinely testing his limits and adapting new training methods for every bout.

Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya (via Instagram)

As he approaches his return against Joe Pyfer, the stakes are higher than ever for Adesanya, with his future trajectory under scrutiny. He has recently been seen pushing himself through intense training sessions, including holding a prolonged lunge hold. The session showed visible physical strain as he continued through discomfort, underscoring the pressure surrounding his comeback.

The intensity on display has drawn comparisons to past moments when Adesanya pushed himself to extreme physical limits. The last time he was seen training at a similar level was during sessions with fitness expert David Goggins, whose demanding regimen left him visibly weakened. That history underscores how seriously Adesanya is approaching this phase as he prepares for a defining moment in his career.

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