MMA analyst makes eye-opening remark about one thing that separates current Israel Adesanya from his prime as the UFC fighter gives three-word update

Israel Adesanya, once a dominant force in the UFC's middleweight division, has recently faced a series of setbacks, leading to discussions about his current form compared to his prime years. These conversations have been further fueled by insights from MMA analysts and Adesanya's own statements.

In his recent bouts, Adesanya has encountered challenges that contrast with his earlier success in the UFC. He recently suffered a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia, marking his third consecutive defeat. 'The Last Stylebender' has now taken to X with a succinct three-word update:

"Back to work."

Sayif Saud, the head coach at Fortis MMA and an Analyst of the Year nominee at the 16th annual World MMA Awards, offered his perspective on Adesanya's recent performances. Reflecting on the fight against Imavov, Saud remarked:

"I look at that fight and just think about how incredible Izzy has been and what he’s done."

He emphasized the natural progression of an athlete's career, noting that even elite fighters face challenges as they age. Saud drew a parallel to boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., stating:

"At 35 years old, if you’re just a hair slower, just a hair, just like Roy Jones Jr. The guy was all reflexes. He would hit people and come back and they couldn’t even touch him. He got just a hair slower and that was the difference. So I think that’s what we’re seeing with Izzy."

He further referred to Imavov and highlighted the constant influx of younger, hungry fighters in the division, making it increasingly challenging for seasoned champions to maintain their dominance.

Check out Sayif Saud's comments about Israel Adesanya below (7:45):

---

Jon Anik commends Israel Adesanya's stardom: "Michael Jordan-like aura"

Despite recent setbacks in the UFC, Israel Adesanya continues to command immense respect within the MMA community. His recent losses have not diminished his standing among peers and commentators. Notably, UFC commentator Jon Anik has highlighted Adesanya's enduring influence in the sport.

Adesanya's contributions to MMA remain significant, with multiple title defenses and a reputation for exceptional striking skills. Anik, reflecting on Adesanya's career, emphasized his unique presence in the sport.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Anik remarked on the difficulty of maintaining a perfect record in the competitive middleweight division, stating that there are no easy opponents. He then expressed his admiration for Adesanya's impact, saying:

"When you start to chase a final green stripe on your Wikipedia page, it's easier said than done. There are no easy outs in this middleweight division as I sort of just outlined, but the dude's the man, you know? He has a Michael Jordan-like aura about him and I'm just very grateful to have had the chance to call all of his title fights."