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Israel Adesanya admitted that he hadn’t been managing his health optimally in the past. “My body can’t handle the lifestyle,” he said.
Israel Adesanya’s Busy UFC Career
From his UFC debut on February 11, 2018, to his title loss to Sean Strickland on September 10, 2023, Israel Adesanya was one of the most active fighters on the UFC roster. During this period, he competed in 16 fights, averaging three fights per year. This included 11 consecutive title bouts. Adesanya might have fought even more frequently if not for the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted schedules worldwide.
The Impact of a Grueling Schedule
Israel Adesanya comeback UFC The intense fight schedule took a toll on Adesanya. He had a challenging time with his rival Alex Pereira, splitting their two fights by losing and regaining the middleweight title in just six months while dealing with a knee injury. Public feuds with fighters like Paulo Costa and Marvin Vettori added to the pressure. Adesanya admitted that promoting these fights and engaging in “mind games” was mentally exhausting. By the time he started his second title reign, he was physically and mentally drained.
Struggles Before the Strickland Fight
Israel Adesanya comeback UFC It was evident that Adesanya’s energy levels were low before defending his title against Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia. Adesanya revealed he had difficulty motivating himself for this fight, expressing more interest in facing Dricus Du Plessis instead. Despite his fatigue and disinterest in Strickland as an opponent, he accepted the fight due to its proximity to his home.
Taking a Break to Recharge
A month after losing to Strickland, Adesanya announced on a New Zealand radio show that he would take a “long time” off from fighting. Although he initially mentioned a return in 2027, he later clarified that this was a joke. Adesanya’s sabbatical lasted just over 11 months, including two months where he didn’t train at all to maintain his mental well-being. This break allowed him to reassess his approach to being a professional athlete and find renewed motivation.
Lifestyle Changes and Preparation for UFC 305
As Adesanya prepares for his return at UFC 305 against Du Plessis, he has made significant lifestyle changes. He has improved his diet and overall approach to training. Previously, Adesanya admitted to eating “Uber Eats every meal” and neglecting the dietary needs of a championship athlete. Now, at 35, he focuses on optimizing his physical condition with proper nutrition and sleep. Photos of his physique transformation indicate that these changes have positively impacted his readiness for competition.
Reflections on Time Off and Career Recovery
Israel Adesanya comeback UFC Adesanya’s break is reminiscent of other fighters who have taken time off to heal and reset. For instance, Jose Aldo took a 20-month hiatus after his loss to Merab Dvalishvili in 2022 and returned with an impressive performance. Brandon Moreno also announced a self-imposed break following his loss to Brandon Royval to rest before returning to competition.
Miesha Tate’s experience is similar. After retiring in 2016 due to burnout, she stayed away from MMA until her return in 2021. Tate acknowledged that continuous fighting and training led to her exhaustion and eventual burnout. Her story underscores the importance of taking breaks to address physical and mental fatigue in the demanding world of MMA.
Israel Adesanya admitted that he hadn’t been managing his health optimally in the past. “My body can’t handle the lifestyle,” he said.
Like Adesanya, Miesha Tate felt that as long as she was winning, everything seemed fine, even when it wasn’t.
“Winning masked my problems, or so I thought,” Tate explained. “It felt like a temporary fix, but it didn’t address the underlying issues. Winning became addictive, like a drug, which made me overlook what was wrong. When I lost two fights in a row, I had to confront the reality.”
Since her return in 2021, Tate’s record stands at 2-2. Despite this, she feels mentally and physically better than ever. She particularly highlights her recent win against Julia Avila, where she felt at her best.
“I was fully in the zone,” Tate said about her submission victory. “I knew exactly what I wanted to do and was okay with any outcome as long as I gave my best effort. It lifted the pressure of needing to win. While people saw the performance, they didn’t see the mental and emotional changes I went through. It all came together for me.”
