Nigerian-born MMA star Israel Adesanya has exited the UFC middleweight top five for the first time in years following the latest rankings update. The former champion slipped from fifth to sixth position after UFC Vancouver’s results reshaped the division.
Brendan Allen triggered this shift by climbing four spots to secure fifth place. His dominant performance against Reinier de Ridder ended when de Ridder’s corner stopped the fight before the fifth round. This victory caused significant ranking changes throughout the division.
The updated standings show de Ridder falling to eighth position while former champion Robert Whittaker dropped to ninth. Jared Cannonier re-entered the top ten following these adjustments. UFC officials delayed releasing the rankings briefly due to an AWS system outage.
Adesanya’s Recent Career Challenges
This ranking drop marks another setback for Adesanya during a difficult phase. Between 2019 and 2022, “The Last Stylebender” ruled the middleweight division, defending his title six times and reclaiming it from Alex Pereira at UFC 287. However, the 35-year-old has since suffered three consecutive defeats over two years.
Earlier in 2024, Adesanya was removed from the UFC’s pound-for-pound list following his loss to Dricus du Plessis. Aljamain Sterling replaced him in that prestigious ranking. Currently, discussions suggest rising contender Caio Borralho might face either Adesanya or Whittaker next.
This potential matchup could provide a crucial reset opportunity for both former champions as they aim to regain championship form. The middleweight division continues evolving with new contenders challenging established names.
About the Author
