UFC: Israel Adesanya Knocked Out By Joe Pyfer In Round Two (Video)

Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya tasted another bitter defeat on Saturday night, falling to rising American contender Joe Pyfer via technical knockout in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.

The former two-time middleweight champion, who many Nigerians still regard as one of the country’s greatest combat sports exports, was flattened and pounded out at 4:18 of the second round. Referee Herb Dean stepped in as Adesanya could no longer defend himself effectively.

NaijaChoice News tracked the fight live as both men traded sharp strikes in a tense opening round. Adesanya flashed his trademark precision with crisp kicks and stuffed early takedown attempts, looking every bit the veteran champion. Pyfer, however, stayed patient and carried heavy pressure into the second stanza.

The turning point came when Pyfer shot in for a takedown and gained top control. From mount to back mount, he flattened Adesanya against the canvas and unleashed a relentless barrage of ground-and-pound strikes. The Nigerian-born fighter struggled to create space or return to his feet.

Pyfer, now on a four-fight winning streak, described the victory as the biggest of his career and a defining moment in his journey. Visibly emotional in the octagon, he dedicated the win to his personal battles, including recent hardships he overcame just weeks before the bout.

Moments when Israel Adesanya got knocked out by Joe Pyfer in round 2. pic.twitter.com/8YrpBRiiec

— Star Potter (@Starpotternews) March 29, 2026

For Adesanya, the loss extends a difficult run to four consecutive defeats. Yet the Lagos native remained defiant after the fight. Speaking to UFC commentators, he dismissed retirement talk outright. “You keep going. Again, and again, and again. I’m not f*cking leaving,” he said, insisting he still belongs at the highest level.

Back home in Nigeria, reactions poured in across social media platforms. While some fans expressed disappointment and questioned the 36-year-old’s future, many others rallied behind “The Last Stylebender,” praising his past dominance and urging him to keep fighting. Adesanya, born in Lagos before moving to New Zealand as a child, has always carried strong Nigerian support wherever he competes.

The result catapults Pyfer into serious middleweight title contention talks. Adesanya, meanwhile, heads back to the drawing board with his legendary career still far from over in the eyes of his loyal Naija fanbase.