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Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer Preview: UFC Fight Night Odds, Tips & Prediction

Date: Sunday, March 29 Time: 12am Midnight GMT Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, USA Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer will head the main card with a middleweight bout at UFC Fight Night on Sunday, March 29, in Seattle. Representing a clash between the old timer and the up-and-coming star of the division, bookmakers will accept a lot of wagers, and there will be plenty of markets stocked. You can read our analysis about the top US betting sites.

published: 03-25-2026

Last updated: 03-25-2026

Charles Perrin

Sports Betting Writer

Fact checked by:

Chad Nagel

Sports Betting & Casino Editor

6 minutes read

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Mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya (C) watches during the round 18 NBL match / Getty Images

Table of Contents

A must-win matchup for Adesanya, who holds a 24-5-0 record, will be eager to show he’s not washed up. Currently on a three-fight losing streak, Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will want to make amends after a TKO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov last February.

As far as Pyfer is concerned, it is onwards and upwards for him. Currently 14th in the middleweight rankings, the American has won his last four bouts in a row, although there was a cancelled fight with Kelvin Gastelum sandwiched in between.

What should you expect? Our Israel Adesanya vs Joe Pyfer preview covers every angle, dissecting odds and pulling up key stats for you to ponder ahead of the first bell.

Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Israel Adesanya Backed

The pre-match betting odds are always worth tucking into. We’ve used one of our trusted UFC operators to see how the odds are shaping up for Adesanya vs Pyfer, so discover more below.

Israel Adesanya: 1/1 (2.00) – 50%
Joe Pyfer: 53/50 (2.06) – 48.5%
*Odds courtesy of FanDuel, subject to change.

Tale of the Tape

To gain some useful UFC betting insights, we can’t overstate the importance of doing thorough research on fighters. We’ve provided a tale of the tape in the form of a table to underline the strengths and weaknesses of Adesanya and Pyfer.

Attribute	Israel Adesanya	Joe Pyfer
Age	36	29
Height	6’4 (193cm)	6’2 (188cm)
Weight	185lbs (83.9kg)	186lbs (84.3kg)
Reach	80” (203.2cm)	75” (191cm)
Record	24-5-0	15-3-0
KO/TKO	16 Wins (67%)	9 Wins (60%)
Submission	0 Wins (0%)	4 Wins (27%)
Decisions	8 Wins (33%)	2 Wins (13%)

Israel Adesanya News

A seasoned campaigner, Adesanya, who is nicknamed ‘The Last Style Bender’, appears to be nearing the end of a storied MMA career.

Apart from not having fought in over a year, Adesanya is desperate to snap a three-bout losing streak. He took some time out following his defeat to Imavov but his focus it seems has shifted from battling for titles to simply enjoying pitting himself against other fighters in the division.

Adesanya has a high fighting IQ, and he is great at using feints to lull his opponents into a false sense of thinking. Arguably one of the best kickboxers in UFC history, Adesanya is rangy and powerful.

With a greater reach than Pyfer, Adesanya has carved out a reputation for being a TKO/KO expert. Adesanya loves using short combinations, and he will fancy his chances if he can get into his stride early on.

Joe Pyfer News

From previous interviews carried out, Pyfer strikes as someone who is well-grounded and humble. He’s never looked too far ahead into the future, but don’t mistake that for a lack of ambition.

Nicknamed ‘Bodybagz’, Pyfer has been making light work of his opponents to date. Despite the three defeats on his copybook, Pyfer was devastating against Gastelum at UFC 316, a fight that was rearranged after Pyfer originally pulled out from the original bout with illness.

Although Gastelum produced some tidy combos in the third round, Pyfer took the contest by unanimous decision, and he’s starting to climb the rankings. Known for his sheer power and immense grappling ability, his take down defense of 50% is exceptional, and he boasts a strike accuracy of 43%.

Despite the inferiority on the height front, Pyfer makes up for it with an excellent KO record (60% of fights won via this method), and he is one to pay close attention to.

Suggested Bets

All UFC betting platforms will carry a variety of lines for each fight. We have headed over to one of our preferred bookies and suggested some markets, backed by expert opinions and insights worth exploring for Adesanya vs Pyfer.

Israel Adesanya to Win by KO/TKO: Although Adesanya is coming off the back of a three-bout losing skid and hasn’t been particularly active over the past 12 months, his class is undeniable. Should he come out firing from the first bell, he could make life very difficult for Pyfer, and a KO/TKO win is a possibility. (6/5 with FanDuel).
Joe Pyfer to Win by Submission: Pyfer is extremely dangerous, and he produced a statement win with his rear-naked choke submission of Abus Magomedov in the second round of their contest at UFC 320 six months ago. From the outset, Pyfer was looking for a quick win, and he’s a fabulous grappler. Adesanya needs to be switched on, or he could go the same way as Magomedov. (87/100 with FanDuel).
Total Over 3.5 Rounds: Although Pyfer has clocked up some quick wins of late, prevailing in the second round or less in three of his past four fights, Adesanya has had to grind things out. Indeed, Adesanya has been taken to the fourth or fifth round in four of his past six fights, so we could be in for a war of attrition. Over 3.5 rounds is certainly attainable. (32/50 with FanDuel)

Value Bets

Sites for betting on UFC bouts will be brimming with promos, but there are also some tasty markets to capitalize on. We’ve provided some tips that carry value for Adesanya vs Pyfer.

KO/TKO & Round 1 Victory: Although both fighters have quick hands and can pull off brilliant combos, the first round of any given contest can be cagey. While there are longer odds attached to this market, it is still worth checking out. (9/1 with FanDuel)
Israel Adesanya to Win on Points: Adesanya, as mentioned, may have to go into trenches and dig deep if he wants to get the better of Pyfer. His experience could be a telling factor, and if he comes out on top, he could benefit from the judges’ scorecard, which is appealing. (5/1 with FanDuel)
Joe Pyfer to Win in Round 2: Pyfer has tended to be quick coming out of the blocks in his recent fights, and that was showcased against Magomedov. A second-round win for Pyfer, should he take the contest to Adesanya, doesn’t sound ludicrous. (5/1 with FanDuel)

Prediction: Joe Pyfer to Win

Although Adesanya has been deemed the favorite for this contest, there is more pressure on him going into this contest. As mentioned, it is a must-win, and he will be desperate to prove he isn’t finished yet.

However, Pyfer, who has snuck under the radar, is an explosive fighter, and he has a bright future ahead of him. He could suffocate give Adesanya some problems in the early rounds, and while it might be a tight fight, we’re backing Pyfer to get over the line and prevail.

Charles PerrinSports Betting Writer

Charles Perrin has spent more than six years covering the world of sports betting, during which he has collaborated with some of the most recognised sportsbooks in the UK, including industry leaders such as bet365 and William Hill.