Israel Adesanya has revealed that he was going to take a short-notice fight against a surging UFC middleweight contender last year. However, the bout never materialized because ‘The Last Stylebender’ got injured.
In a recent video on his YouTube channel, the Nigerian-born Kiwi stated that he was going lock horns with Reinier de Ridder last year on 5-6 weeks’ notice.
I was gonna fight last year, but then I got injured in the gym. That opportunity got taken away. It was a short-notice fight as well, and I’ve never done one of those, so that would’ve been exciting… [It was] ‘RDR’ on 5- 6 week notice. I was already training. I was getting ready for a fight.”
The former two-time UFC middleweight kingpin added that it was a blessing in disguise that he ended up not fighting.
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 wasn’t the best thing.”
Check out Israel Adesanya’s comments below (4:13):
Former two-division ONE world champion Reinier de Ridder signed with the UFC in 2024 and won his promotional debut by Round 3 submission.
In 2025, he was moving into the title conversation after picking up wins over Bo Nickal, Kevin Holland, and Robert Whittaker. However, the Dutch fighter’s surge was halted by short-notice opponent Brendan Allen in October at UFC Fight Night 262.
Despite the loss, ‘RDR’ is now seen as one of the most well-rounded middleweights on the roster. Hence, for Israel Adesanya, who is on a three-fight losing streak and was stopped by Nassourdine Imavov by TKO in early 2025, fighting someone of de Ridder’s calibre on short notice wouldn’t have been a smart move.
De Ridder is going to fight Caio Borralho next at UFC 326.
Adensaya, on the other hand, will headline UFC Seattle on March 28, opposite Joe Pyfer.
Israel Adesanya talks retirement
During the same sit-down posted above, Israel Adesanya discussed when he plans on hanging up the gloves. The Nigerian-born Kiwi believes he can see the finish line of his career drawing close. However, for now, he plans to fight twice this year and also enter the octagon next year. He said:
So if I fight now, I fight one more time towards the end of the year, maybe. That’s two fights. If I do two fights a year, next year I can still fight. 2028 is where I would be, like, I don’t know yet. I can’t see past 2027. I don’t know. I don’t think that far ahead at the moment.”
He added:
I just know I’m on the tail end. I can see the finish line. I’ve been seeing the finish line in the distance, but now it’s closer.”
Check out Israel Adesanya’s comments below:
