Former middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, refused to bow to defeat, declaring, “I might get beaten, but I’d always remain undefeated,” even as his losing streak extended to four consecutive fights.
The Nigerian-born striker suffered a second-round technical knockout loss to rising American contender Joe Pyfer at UFC Fight Night 271 in Seattle, USA, on Saturday night.
Pyfer stopped Adesanya with ground-and-pound strikes at 4:18 of Round 2, handing “The Last Stylebender” his latest setback.
Adesanya entered the bout with a 24-5 record and looked sharp in the opening round, using his signature distance management and counter-striking to control the pace.
However, Pyfer absorbed the early pressure and shifted momentum with a series of powerful punches and a takedown.
In the second round, Pyfer pinned Adesanya against the fence, took him to the canvas, advanced to full mount, and unleashed sustained ground-and-pound.
Referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the contest as Adesanya was flattened.
