Israel Adesanya has officially fallen out of the UFC middleweight top five for the first time since 2019. In the latest rankings update, the former champion dropped to number six, with Brendan Allen taking his spot. The move signals a major shift in the division and highlights how quickly fortunes can change in the ever-evolving world of mixed martial arts.

Adesanya’s career remains one of the most decorated in UFC history. He has defended the middleweight title five times and competed in 12 consecutive title fights, achievements that cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s greatest strikers. However, his recent form has been far from his dominant best. Adesanya has now suffered three consecutive losses, a first in his professional MMA career.

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His first came against Sean Strickland at UFC 293, where he lost his title via unanimous decision in one of the year’s biggest upsets. He then faced Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 and was submitted in the later rounds. Most recently, Adesanya was defeated by Nassourdine Imavov via TKO at UFC Fight Night 250 in early 2025. These results have contributed to his drop in the rankings and raised questions about his current standing among the elite.

Despite the recent setbacks, Adesanya’s legacy is secure. He remains one of the most skilled and influential fighters in modern MMA, with a unique style that transformed the middleweight division. Yet this moment marks the end of an era — a reminder that even the greatest must constantly adapt to stay on top. Whether Adesanya can return to form and reclaim his position among the best will be one of the most intriguing storylines in the UFC moving forward.

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