"Look at the middleweight division now - Khamzat was a very active guy coming up, smoking everybody, fighting multiple times, I think twice in a month, even at one point. And now that he's champion, I'm sure what the deal is - is it visa issues? Is it injuries? I'm not sure... The last active champion was me."
"So that's one thing that I would say people didn't appreciate, even I didn't appreciate. Now that I'm here watching it, I'm like, damn, this game is just slow and stuck without me."
Israel Adesanya asserts he was the last active UFC middleweight champion, highlighting Khamzat Chimaev's early career activity. Chimaev won the title in August 2025 and is set to defend it against Sean Strickland at UFC 328. Adesanya reflects on the current state of the division, expressing concern over its stagnation. He emphasizes his own commitment to fighting top competitors and notes his recent struggles, including a three-fight slump. Adesanya is scheduled to headline UFC Seattle against Joe Pyfer this weekend.
Read at Sherdog
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