Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has ruled out a potential switch to boxing, insisting he intends to complete his fighting career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The Nigerian–New Zealander, currently ranked sixth in the UFC middleweight division, made his stance clear during a question-and-answer session at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA in Thailand.
“For me, my career is going to end in the UFC, I believe. But never say never,” Adesanya said. “I thought about this two months ago, and I always said, ‘Nah, you’d never catch me.’”
The 35-year-old described mixed martial arts as the highest form of combat sport, arguing that his legacy would be undermined by stepping away from MMA for a boxing-only career.
“This is the ultimate form of fighting—mixed martial arts. You’re using all your limbs, all your weapons,” he explained. “How can I now, as one of the guys who’s been at the top of this game, say, ‘I’m just going to go box’?”
Adesanya, a former kickboxing standout before transitioning to MMA, admitted he briefly considered the financial incentives of boxing but ultimately rejected the idea, citing loyalty to the UFC and his long-term legacy.
“I always said no because I felt my legacy was already set in stone,” he added. “Everyone has a number, and I think I reached my number about two months ago. It’s really high. Maybe someone like Turki [Alalshikh] could afford it, but nah—I’d rather finish my career at the top in the UFC.”
