Israel Adesanya rules out boxing after MMA career, calls mixed martial arts the ultimate test
Israel Adesanya has shut down any speculation about a future move into boxing, making it clear that once his time in mixed martial arts comes to an end, he has no interest in crossing over into another combat sport.
Israel Adesanya recently addressed the topic and revealed that he had briefly considered the idea of boxing just a couple of months ago, before quickly dismissing it. According to Adesanya, the more he thought about it, the clearer it became that boxing simply does not compare to what MMA demands from a fighter.
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Adesanya explains why boxing does not appeal to him
“I thought about this two months ago, and I always said like, nah, you’d never catch me,” Adesanya said. “This is the ultimate form of fighting, which is mixed martial arts. You are using all your limbs, all your weapons.”
Adesanya’s comments reinforce a stance he has maintained throughout much of his career. Despite being one of the most accomplished strikers the UFC has ever seen, with a world-class kickboxing background, he has never shown serious interest in following the crossover path taken by other MMA stars. Fighters like Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have proven that boxing can be financially lucrative, but for Adesanya, fulfilment appears to matter more than novelty or paydays.
The former middleweight champion has often spoken about his love for the complete nature of MMA. Wrestling, grappling, clinch work, kicks, knees and punches all play a role, and Adesanya believes that removing those elements strips away what makes fighting truly challenging. In his view, limiting himself to just his hands would not represent progress, even if the spotlight and money were significant.
This mindset also reflects Adesanya’s pride in mixed martial arts as a sport. At a time when crossover bouts continue to blur the lines between boxing and MMA, his comments serve as a reminder that not every elite striker sees boxing as the pinnacle. For Adesanya, MMA remains the highest expression of combat, and he seems content knowing his legacy will be defined entirely inside the Octagon.
As his career moves into its later stages, fans may continue to speculate about super-fights or boxing exhibitions. However, if Adesanya’s words are anything to go by, they should not expect to see “The Last Stylebender” lacing up boxing gloves once his MMA journey is complete.
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