‘Here we go again’: Former UFC champ’s returned unveiled against brutal KO artist

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will aim to stop a three-fight losing streak when he takes on hard-hitting Joe Pyfer on March 28, UFC boss Dana White announced Wednesday.

After more than a year on the sidelines, Adesanya is set to return against the rising American middleweight at UFC Fight Night 271 at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena.

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‘The Last Stylebender’ is regarded as one of the best middleweights in MMA history, but he enters the bout chasing his first victory since his spectacular 2023 title-fight knockout of Alex Pereira.

The former champ is currently enduring the longest form slump of his career, having dropped three straight fights to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis and Nassourdine Imavov.

Now 36, the Kiwi has been out of action since his shocking KO loss to Imavov in February last year.

Pyfer, on the other hand, has bounced back from his first UFC defeat against Jack Hermansson by rattling off three consecutive victories, including two impressive finishes.

He last competed in October, earning a performance bonus with a slick submission victory over Abus Magomedov at UFC 320.

Pyfer took to social media after the announcement, writing: “I’m blessed for the opportunity against one of the greatest middleweights of all time. Little Joey P is on his way. Hard f**king work incoming. Self belief and faith can pull any man out of a dark time. Let’s go get this s**t! Joe Bodybagz Pyfer! What a life!”

Adesanya responded in kind on Instagram, posting: ‘Aaaah s**t… here we go again!’

A women’s flyweight fight between former champ Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber has also been confirmed as the co-main for the March 28 card.

UFC Seattle line-up so far:

Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer

Maycee Barber vs. Alexa Grasso

Gabriella Fernandes vs. Casey O’Neill

Marcin Tybura vs. Valter Walker

Nicolle Caliari vs. Carol Foro

Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui

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Earlier this week, UFC firebrand Colby Covington confirmed that he will be moving up to middleweight.

The American star said he has his eyes on a fight with Adesanya and Sean Strickland for his first bout at the new weight.

“I think someone like Israel Adesanya intrigues me, a former champion like myself, someone that generates hype, has a following, has a platform and a brand,” Covington told Submission Radio.

“So, I think the Izzy fight makes a lot more sense than anything, and it’s someone I really don’t like.

“He’s talked a lot of s**t about me in the past, so let’s see if he can actually back that s**t talk up.

“I would love that (Sean Strickland) fight. He’s a cardio kickboxer. I’d beat him everywhere. You see what Dricus (Du Plessis) did to him. I’d to do the same thing.”