Israel Adesanya endured a fourth defeat after suffering a technical knockout loss to rising American contender Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Fight Night on Saturday
Pyfer, now 16-3, produced a standout performance to stop the former middleweight champion at 4:18 of the second round inside the Climate Pledge Arena.
Adesanya (24-6) looked sharp early on, showcasing his trademark movement and striking precision in the opening round. However, Pyfer absorbed the pressure and gradually shifted momentum with his power and grappling.
The tide fully turned in the second round when Pyfer pinned Adesanya against the fence, landed a series of heavy blows, and secured a takedown.
From there, he advanced to full mount and unleashed relentless ground-and-pound, forcing referee Herb Dean to step in and stop the contest.
Reacting after the fight, Pyfer highlighted his fearless approach, “I just have this mentality where I don’t care; I’m going to search and destroy,” he said.
Despite the setback, Adesanya remained resolute about continuing his career.
“I’m just going to keep going and going and going,” he declared.
The loss extends a difficult run for Adesanya, who has now dropped four consecutive bouts, casting doubt over the next phase of his career in a division he once ruled.
For Pyfer, the victory represents a defining moment and significantly boosts his standing among the middleweight contenders.
