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Absent for over six months in the UFC, the Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya is reportedly inching closer to his comeback date. Regarded as one of the most prolific fighters in the sport, Adesanya has remained winless since 2023.
After his knockout victory against Alex Pereira in Apr. 2023, he went on to lose to Sean Strickland, Dricus du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov. Earlier this year, in Mar. 2026, Adesanya was knocked out by Joe Pyfer. He has not fought since then.
Following his loss to Pyfer, Adesanya was rumored to retire; however, the 37-year-old dismissed the rumors and is apparently set to return later this year in Dec. 2026. During the latest episode of The Ariel Helwani Show, Ariel Helwani discussed a long-rumored bout between Adesanya and middleweight fighter Shara Magomedov as the main event for UFC Saudi Arabia on Dec. 5, 2026.
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If the fight is made official, Magomedov will have his wish granted by the UFC and Dana White. Earlier in Jun. 2025, after UFC Baku, Magomedov had called out Adesanya after beating Michel Pereira.
Magomedov has only lost once in his pro fights, and it came against former UFC fighter Michael “Venom” Page, on the undercard of Adesanya’s UFC Saudi Arabia main event in Feb. 2025.
The fight has not been confirmed and is currently just speculative. Magomedov has been a part of the UFC since 2023, while Adesanya is a veteran and has been fighting for Dana White’s UFC since 2018. Adesanya is also a former two-time UFC Middleweight champion and a UFC Hall of Famer, while Magomedov is still making his name in the industry.
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