Fans Beg Israel Adesanya to Retire After His Next Fight Is Announced

Israel Adesanya’s reported UFCcomeback has fans worried, as some took to social media begging him to retire rather than go through another defeat.

According to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, Adesanya is expected to fight Sharabutdin “Shara Bullet” Magomedov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5. UFC is yet to confirm that fight, but the announcement has already sparked discussions about the 37-year-old legend’s future.

Adesanya Enters Potential Comeback on Four-Fight Losing Streak

Adesanya has had a legendary career in the UFC and has become one of its biggest stars with five title defenses on his resume. However, following his sensational victory at UFC 287 when he knocked out his longtime rival Alex Pereira, he has been on a devastating losing streak.

After he reclaimed his belt against Poatan, Sean Strickland unexpectedly defeated him via unanimous decision. His comeback campaign hasn’t gone as planned, with a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis in August 2024 before Nassourdine Imavov knocked him out in February 2025.

His struggles continued in March 2026, when Joe Pyfer, whom he was expected to defeat, stopped him with punches in the second round of their UFC Seattle main event. It was Adesanya’s fourth consecutive defeat and his third straight stoppage loss.

Magomedov, on the other hand, has won his last two UFC fights against Marc-Andre Barriault and Michel Pereira. The Russian striker could give Adesanya a chance to end his skid, but another loss would extend his winless run to more than three years.

The proposed matchup has all the hallmarks of an entertaining scrap, with both men preferring to keep the standing and possess spectacular striking ability.

Fans Plead With Adesanya to Retire

Following the Helwani scoop on the fight, many fans said they want him to retire.

“If Izzy don’t win this, hang it up,” one fan wrote.

“IZZY PLEASE. KNOCK THIS GUY OUT AND THEN RETIRE,” another pleaded.

A third declared, “Retirement fight for Israel,” while another added, “Israel I’m begging you can’t handle another loss.”

Adesanya has shut down any talk of retirement and doesn’t appear to be considering walking away anytime soon.

Following the Pyfer defeat, Adesanya immediately said in his post-fight interview that, “I’m not f*cking leaving.”

He also addressed retirement during a June appearance on Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast podcast, admitting that “my ego is very tied into this,” adding that he believes he can still compete with the best of them.

To be fair to Stylebender, he has been competitive in all his losses, showing signs of the brilliance that took him to the top. But with about 116 fights across boxing, kickboxing, and MMA, his fighting career has a lot of mileage on the clock.