The world of combat sports is witnessing a fascinating and, for many fans, heartbreaking shift. Some of Africa’s most dominant fighters—Anthony Joshua (35), Israel Adesanya (35), Kamaru Usman (37), and Francis Ngannou (38)—have recently found themselves on the losing end of major fights, raising questions about the role of age, evolution, and the relentless nature of elite-level competition.
Once seemingly untouchable, these athletes are now experiencing a reality that few in combat sports can avoid: the unforgiving cycle of dominance, decline, and reinvention.
On Saturday, February 1st, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, now 35, suffered his third consecutive defeat, including his second career knockout loss, when Nassourdine Imavov stopped him with a second-round TKO at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.
Once celebrated for his creative striking and unmatched presence in the octagon, Adesanya now holds a professional MMA record of 24-5-0 and a UFC record of 13-5-0. His latest setback serves as a stark reminder that even the most innovative fighters can be overtaken by the ever-advancing nature of the sport.
Then there’s Kamaru Usman, long considered one of the most dominant welterweights in UFC history, who has also found himself in unfamiliar territory. “The Nigerian Nightmare,” now 37, has seen his formidable reign come under unprecedented pressure. With a professional record of 20-4-0, Usman recently suffered the first three-fight losing streak of his illustrious career, falling to Leon Edwards twice and then Khamzat Chimaev on short notice.
After ruling the division with an iron grip, his back-to-back losses raised concerns about whether age is beginning to take its toll. At 37, Usman has already achieved greatness, but with younger, hungrier fighters emerging, the path back to the title has never looked more difficult. The speed and explosiveness that once set him apart may not be as sharp as they once were, making every future fight a test of how much he has left in the tank.
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Francis Ngannou, the most feared knockout artist in modern heavyweight history, has also faced setbacks, most notably in his recent venture into professional boxing, where he lost to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Now 38, Ngannou built a reputation as one of the most dominant heavyweights in UFC history, but he is also feeling the weight of recent defeats.
In MMA, he has suffered setbacks before but has always rebounded—until now. His foray into professional boxing has further underscored his vulnerabilities. On October 28, 2023, he suffered his first professional boxing loss against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in Riyadh via split decision. Then, on March 8, 2024, he was knocked out in the second round by Anthony Joshua.
These setbacks serve as a powerful reminder that raw power, while impressive, is not always sufficient in a sport that increasingly demands a well-rounded approach.
While his power remains unmatched, his defeats highlight the reality that pure athleticism is not enough at the highest level of competition. At 38, Ngannou is at an age where reflexes and durability can start to wane, and though he remains a terrifying presence in combat sports, questions linger about whether he can continue to evolve against increasingly well-rounded opponents.
Anthony Joshua, now 35 with a record of 28-4-0, has long been a figure of heavyweight boxing royalty. Yet his recent encounter with Daniel Dubois, who delivered a knockout victory in just five rounds in front of 96,000 people at Wembley Stadium, appears to signal a dramatic shift in the boxing hierarchy.
Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion (2016–2019, 2019–2021), now finds his resurgent career in chaos, with Dubois emerging as the new leading man in British heavyweight boxing. This loss, coming at a time when every fight is a battle against both formidable opponents and the inexorable march of time, encapsulates the complex interplay of legacy and decline.
Joshua is far from old in boxing terms, but the wear and tear of years at the top, combined with an increasing level of competition, have made every fight a defining moment. While he remains a top contender, the question remains whether he can fully adjust his game or if his peak has already passed.
The recent struggles of these African stars do not diminish their incredible achievements, but they do reflect the inevitable reality that time is undefeated. Combat sports are relentless, and the margin for error is razor-thin.
Is Age the Biggest Factor?
While age plays a role, the decline of these fighters isn’t just about getting older. Mileage, evolving competition, and changing fight styles are also factors. Some fighters have successfully adapted to ageing (e.g., Floyd Mayweather, Glover Teixeira), but it requires significant adjustments in training and approach. While each of these athletes has the potential to stage a resurgence, the road ahead is more uncertain than ever. The fight against an opponent is one thing, but the fight against time is one that even the greatest champions cannot escape.
Can They Make a Comeback in 2025?
While their dominance may be fading, 2025 could be a year of resurgence—or a farewell tour. The only question is: Can they still compete with the best, or has time finally caught up?
