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Israel Adesanya one knockdown away from Anderson Silva record

Originally posted on HITC | By Jamie Theodosi | Last updated Mar 26, 2026 12:30 PM ET

Israel Adesanya is closing in on another UFC record and he could break it this Saturday.

The former middleweight champion will be stepping back into the cage for the first time in over a year when he headlines UFC Seattle against Joe Pyfer.

It’s been a rough run of form lately for ‘The Last Stylebender’, who is looking to snap a three-fight skid when he faces the hard-hitting American.

Adesanya closing in on Anderson Silva’s knockdown record at UFC Seattle

Anderson Silva and Israel Adesanya are currently level with 13 knockdowns each, so even a single one against Pyfer would put him ahead of the Brazilian legend.

Over his last three outings, the 36-year-old hasn’t managed a single knockdown while being knocked down twice himself.

He’ll be looking to recapture the form that saw him set the record for most knockdowns in a UFC title fight back in 2019, during his Hall of Fame clash with Kelvin Gastelum.

Adesanya’s UFC career has been marked by records. He already holds the mark for most head strikes landed (908) and most significant strikes landed (1,040) in middleweight history.

If he manages to add another against Pyfer this weekend, he will extend that record even further beyond Gastelum, who remains active in both divisions.

The former champion is also within reach of another milestone. He sits just two main events behind Jon Jones’ record for most main event appearances inside any division.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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