Michael Bisping Says Israel Adesanya Could Retire if He Loses to Joe Pyfer

Israel Adesanya faces Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Fight Night 271 tomorrow night. Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping says a loss could mean the end of Adesanya’s fighting career.

Main event and context

Adesanya will meet Joe Pyfer in the night's headliner at UFC Fight Night 271. Pyfer is listed by Bisping as the No. 13-ranked fighter in the division. The bout is the biggest fight on the card and carries clear implications for both men.

Bisping weighs in

On his ‘Believe You Me’ podcast, Bisping said he believes Adesanya will choose to retire if he does not win. Bisping said he thinks Adesanya could say he no longer has it, pointing to the way fighters age and how the sport often decides a career’s end.

He told listeners that Adesanya has faced many tough opponents recently, naming Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland, and Alex Pereira. Bisping also mentioned Nassourdine Imavov as a possible rising challenge for the division.

Recent form and what a loss would mean

Bisping highlighted Adesanya’s recent run of results, saying the veteran has lost four of his last five fights. He warned that a loss to Pyfer would make it five losses in six fights, a mark he believes would be a clear sign to stop fighting.

He added that when top fighters begin to lose many fights in a short span, it is often time to step away. Bisping stressed there is no shame in the losses Adesanya has had against high-level opponents, but the numbers, in his view, tell a story.

What is at stake

For Adesanya, this fight is about more than a spot in the rankings. It is a chance to prove he still belongs at the top of the division after recent setbacks. For Pyfer, beating a former champion would be a major career moment and move him up the list.

Fans and media will watch closely to see whether Adesanya can stop the run of losses or whether Bisping’s prediction about retirement will start to look likely.

Report by UFCcoverage.