UFC Seattle: Israel Adesanya to return against Joe Pyfer in main event

Israel Adesanya will make his UFC return against Joe Pyfer in Seattle in March. Photo / Michael Craig

At this point in his mixed martial arts career, Israel Adesanya is just looking for a good time.

In the main event of UFC’s card in Seattle on March 29, he’s sure to find one.

The UFC’s only two-time middleweight champion will return to action after more than a year out of the octagon against No 15-ranked Joe Pyfer.

Speaking late in 2025 at a Q&A at Thailand’s Bangtao Muay Thai and MMA gym, run by the Hickman Brothers Frank and George who have a long association with Adesanya, the 36-year-old said he had reached a new time in his career.

“For me, it’s not about belts anymore. I’ve got two shiny belts at home. They look good. But I just want to fight. I just want to do things like I did on the way to the belt,” he said.

“I still fought really well when I was defending the belt, but I want to fight more freely. I want to try some risky s*** like I used to. Remember the [Brad] Taveres fight? At the end of the first round, I went for an imanari roll, and I failed. I want to try s*** like that again.”

In that sense, Pyfer serves as an intriguing opponent for Adesanya.

The 29-year-old American holds a 15-3 record (6-1 UFC) with 13 wins by finish (nine knockouts, four submissions).

On his way into the UFC, Pyfer became the poster boy for rising prospects – his second-round TKO win over Ozzy Diaz on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022 earning him a contract with the promotion.

“If you want to get into the UFC and this is where you want to be, act like Joe Pyfer,” White said in awarding Pyfer a contract.

“Be Joe Pyfer. Be excited to be here. Be fired up to fight. Try to finish the fight, try to win. Be Joe Pyfer and you will get into the UFC.”

Pyfer has maintained that relentless approach in his time as a UFC fighter, however the only blemish on his record across those seven bouts has been a unanimous decision defeat to Jack Hermansson.

That was the only time Pyfer has fought an opponent ranked in the top 15, with Adesanya – currently ranked at No 6 – being the second.

The bout will be Adesanya’s first since February last year, when he fell to a second-round TKO loss after making a strong start.

Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.