Israel Adesanya Finds New Inspiration After Alexander Volkanovski’s UFC 333 Masterclass

Alexander Volkanovski's UFC 333 triumph gives Israel Adesanya a reason to keep fighting.© NDTV Photo Library

Israel Adesanya appears to have found fresh motivation for his UFC comeback. After watching his former City Kickboxing teammate, Alexander Volkanovski, defeat Movsar Evloev at UFC 333. Volkanovski retained the featherweight title with a second-round TKO in Abu Dhabi, handing Evloev his first professional defeat. Adesanya reacted enthusiastically to the finish on his YouTube channel. The Nigerian-born New Zealander has not fought since March. Joe Pyfer stopped him at 4:18 of the second round at UFC Fight Night in Seattle. That defeat was Adesanya's fourth straight and left him at 24-6 overall.

Israel Adesanya reacts to Volkanovski's win

Israel Adesanya reacted to Volkanovski's victory, “Let's go, Volk! The best ever! Legend. It's legendary,” he said, before adding, "I can't wait. Let me bang, bro. Just let me bang, bro.”

Adesanya's last victory came in April 2023, when he knocked out Alex Pereira in their middleweight rematch at UFC 287. Since then, he has lost to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, Nassourdine Imavov and Pyfer; his past three defeats all came by stoppage.

In July, Adesanya announced that he had split from long-time coach Eugene Bareman and City Kickboxing after more than 15 years with the Auckland-based team. He said he needed “focused, individual training” and described the decision as bittersweet but necessary.

The 36-year-old has repeatedly rejected retirement talk. Nevertheless, Volkanovski's performance was an excellent example that experience and adaptability can still lead to greatness in the UFC.

Ariel Helwani drops bombshell on Adesanya's potential UFC return

Israel Adesanya is reportedly being lined up to face Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5. MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported on the proposed middleweight main event. However, neither the UFC nor either fighter has officially confirmed it.

Magomedov is 6-1 in the UFC and has repeatedly called for a fight with Adesanya. His only professional defeat came against Michael “Venom” Page at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025.

There is some uncertainty around the event itself. Reports had suggested UFC Saudi Arabia could be affected by regional security concerns, but Dana White dismissed cancellation talk and said the promotion planned to proceed.

For Adesanya, the reported matchup would be more than another fight. It would be a chance to end a losing skid, prove that his changes outside the gym are working, and show that Volkanovski's late-career resurgence can be matched by his own.