Brendan Loughnane wants Israel Adesanya to call time on his legendary combat sports career.
The former PFL featherweight champion watched on from home as Israel Adesanya got knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov inside two rounds at UFC Saudi Arabia, which took place at the anb Arena in Ridyah on Saturday night.
A large section of fans called for ‘The Last Stylebender’ to retire following his third consecutive UFC loss.
However, the ex-middleweight champion insisted ‘I’ll be back’ in a post-fight social media statement.
- READ MORE: ‘It’s over’… Israel Adesanya written off by UFC legend following KO in third straight defeat
Brendan Loughnane thinks Israel Adesanya should retire
Brendan Loughnane is a big fan of Adesanya, but he wants to see the New Zealander call it a career.
“Here’s my take on Israel Adesanya’s situation,” Loughnane said on his talkSPORT MMA podcast.
“Let’s take MMA out of the equation. Before that he was a world-class kickboxer, he’s also had professional boxing matches. Do you know how many fights and how many camps this man has had? Do you know how much money this man must have in his bank now?”
Loughnane doesn’t believe that Adesanya has the same hunger that he once had. The Englishman insists that could be a major problem against up-and-coming contenders who are desperate to make a name for themselves.
Loughnane added: “He’s at a very difficult stage now. People like Imavov are starving, they are absolutely chomping at the bit. Caio Borralho, chomping at the bit. Khamzat Chimaev, chomping at the bit. I just don’t see Adesanya chomping at the bit anymore.
“I feel like he’s had an unbelievable amount of fights for a guy of 35. I think personally, after the way it ended, also the way it ended against Dricus, you don’t want to be that guy that was a champion and then gets TKO’d back-to-back-to-back.
“Personally, I would like to see Adesanya hang it up because he’s got nothing more to prove in this sport.
“I put him as the second-best [middleweight of all time] just behind Anderson Silva. I’ve admired his work for a hell of a long time, and I would love to see him ride off into the sunset and enjoy it because he’s been one of the most active and consistent champions for a hell of a long time. I think it’s time for a rest.
Demetrious Johnson reacts to Israel Adesanya getting KO’d
Demetrious Johnson recently shared footage of his furious live reaction to Adesanya vs Imavov.
The former UFC flyweight champion ranted, raved, and cursed while watching his friend get knocked out.
After he’d taken a minute to calm down, ‘Mighty Mouse’ wondered if it was time for Adesanya to retire.
“To be honest with you, whatever the f*** Izzy wants to do I’m on board,” Johnson said.
“Sometimes in an athlete’s career, and why I made the decision to retire, was that there was nothing left to prove in your mixed martial arts career.
“He’s had a lot of fights in kickboxing, and it’s not like his mixed martial arts career has been easy. He is a f***ing workhorse. I think they said in 20 months he had seven fights – that’s a workload that not everybody can sustain.
“I’m sure he’s very wealthy. I’m sure he’s one of the greatest middleweights of all time in mixed martial arts. What is left is there to prove for Israel Adesanya? Honestly, I don’t think there’s nothing left for him to do.
“Obviously, he’s still an athlete. He’s still young at 35 years old. I’m sure he still wants to continue competing – but at what cost?”