How Can a Legend Last Long?

On February 2, 2025, Israel Adesanya stepped into the Octagon once again, this time against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night. Just a few years ago, Adesanya was seen as an unstoppable force in the middleweight division, a striking genius who made elite opponents look ordinary. But on this night, at exactly 3:00 of Round 2, he was on the canvas, finished.

This was his third straight loss. First, Sean Strickland exposed a flaw in his style. Then, Dricus Du Plessis overwhelmed him with pressure. Now, Imavov knocked him out. A champion who once seemed untouchable was suddenly on a downward spiral. But why?
The reality of MMA is harsh—if you’re not evolving, you’re falling behind. Fighters like Adesanya build their legacies by mastering a specific style, but if that style remains unchanged, it’s only a matter of time before someone finds the blueprint to beat it. The game never stops moving.

Fighters who reign long-term aren’t just dominant; they adapt. Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones are enigmas in the sport because they never let their skills plateau. GSP rebuilt his entire approach after a shocking loss to Matt Serra. Jon Jones, despite his long layoffs, has consistently adjusted to new generations of fighters.

Adesanya, on the other hand, has largely stayed the same. The slick counter-striking, the movement, the feints—while brilliant, they’ve now been figured out. His ability to control distance was once a puzzle, but now it’s a formula studied and broken by newer contenders. If you don’t evolve as a champion, your fall is inevitable.

Becoming a champion is one thing—staying a champion is something else entirely. Many fighters rise to the top on hunger and raw ability. Adesanya’s early career was filled with dazzling performances because he was fighting like a man who had everything to prove. But the longer you hold the belt, the more the pressure shifts.

At first, you're the hunter. Then, you become the hunted. Every opponent spends months—sometimes years—studying your every move. They come prepared with a strategy tailored to your weaknesses. Meanwhile, as a champion, you’re defending what you’ve already built. The drive to prove yourself often fades when you’ve already made millions and cemented your legacy.

There’s also the physical toll. No one escapes time. Reflexes dull. The body takes longer to recover. In a sport where milliseconds decide the outcome, that decline can be the difference between a highlight-reel knockout and a devastating loss.

GSP and Jon Jones stand apart because they evolved. They never got comfortable with their styles. GSP transformed from a dynamic striker into a wrestling-heavy strategist. Jon Jones, despite his personal controversies, has continuously adapted, incorporating new techniques and game plans that keep him ahead of the competition.

Adesanya’s recent losses show that his style is no longer enough on its own. If he wants to stay at the top, he needs to reinvent himself. Fighters like Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, and even Ronda Rousey dominated for a time but saw their reigns end because their games didn’t change when the sport did.

Adesanya is at a crossroads. Does he evolve, or does he become another former champion who couldn’t adjust? Fighters like him face two paths—rebuild or fade away.

Some never recover from a losing streak. Others use it as fuel for a comeback. Adesanya still has time, but if he doesn’t make the necessary changes, this might just be the beginning of the end.

MMA is a sport of constant evolution. If you stand still, the game will pass you by.