Israel Adesanya

Israel Mobolaji Odunayo Oluwafemi Temitayo Owolabi Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a Nigerian-New Zealander professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former boxer with multiple championships in all three disciplines. As a mixed martial artist, he currently competes in the Middleweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the current UFC Middleweight Champion. In kickboxing, he is a former Glory Middleweight Championship title challenger. As of August 23, 2022, he is #2 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Adesanya is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in mixed martial arts, both offensively and defensively, and has never been knocked down in the UFC.

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Early life and background

Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the eldest of five children.[10] His father, Oluwafemi,[18] is an accountant and his mother, Taiwo, is a nurse.[19] Adesanya attended Chrisland School, Opebi, and enrolled in its Taekwondo after-school club until he was removed by his mother due to an injury.[10][20][21] In 1999, he relocated to Ghana with his family for 10 months,[4] but due to his parents wanting their children to receive a well-recognised higher education,[22] he settled in Rotorua, New Zealand, at age 10[23] and attended Rotorua Boys’ High School.[24] Adesanya was not interested in sports during high school; instead he was interested in Japanese anime such as Death Note[25] and the manga series Naruto.[26] Adesanya was bullied during his high school years[27] and attributes the mistreatment he experienced to his decision to pursue martial arts later in life.[28]

Following high school graduation, Adesanya enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Design at the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui.[29] At the age of 18, he started training in kickboxing, after being inspired by the Muay Thai film Ong-Bak.[21] Two years later Adesanya made the decision to cease his studies in pursuit of a career in kickboxing and went on to amass an amateur record of 32–0 before turning professional and fighting in China.[30][31] At the age of 21, Adesanya moved to Auckland, New Zealand, and began training in mixed martial arts under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing, with future UFC fighters such as Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and current UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski.[32][33][34] He trains in wrestling under the Romanian New Zealander Andrei Păuleț.[5][6]

Adesanya is multilingual. He is fluent in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin and English.[35]

Professional kickboxing career

Early beginnings

In May 2010, Adesanya won the first fight of his seven-fight winning streak, defeating Tim Atonio by unanimous decision. He won his next six fights, fighting almost exclusively with Wu Lin Feng in China. His winning streak earned him a place in the 2014 Kunlun Fight 80 kg tournament, held during Kunlun Fight 2. He lost the semifinal bout against Simon Marcus by an extra round split decision.[36] Adesanya afterwards made his Glory debut at Glory 15, when he faced Filip Verlinden. Verlinden won the fight by unanimous decision.[37] The two of them fought a rematch at Glory of Heroes 3, two years after their first fight, with Adesanya winning a unanimous decision.

Adesanya participated in the King in the Ring Cruiserweights II tournament of the regional circuit in New Zealand.[38] In the quarterfinal, he beat Slava Alexeichik by unanimous decision, in the semifinal he beat Pati Afoa by knockout and won the tournament with a knockout of Jamie Eades. Six months later, he took part in the 2015 Cruiserweights III tournament. He scored technical knockouts of Kim Loudon and Mark Timms in the quarterfinal and semifinal bouts respectively, before winning the tournament for the second time with a first-round knockout of Pati Afoa.[39]

Moving up in weight, Adesanya participated in the 2015 The Heavyweights III, as well. He defeated Nase Foai by TKO in the quarterfinal and Dan Roberts by KO in the semifinal, before facing Jamie Eades in the finals. The two had previously met in the final of the 2014 Cruiserweight tournament. Adesanya won the tournament final by unanimous decision.[40]

Glory Middleweight Championship

Adesanya won five of his next six fights, including victories over Yousri Belgaroui[41] and Bogdan Stoica.[42] His loss came at the hands of future GLORY Middleweight champion Alex Pereira, who won by unanimous decision.[43]

Adesanya participated in the 2016 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament. He defeated Robert Thomas by unanimous decision in the semifinals, and won the tournament with a split decision victory over Yousri Belgaroui.[44] He fought Jason Wilnis for the Glory Middleweight championship at Glory 37: Los Angeles. Wilnis won the fight by unanimous decision, although the result was considered controversial.[45][46][47]

His last kickboxing fight, before transitioning to mixed martial arts, was a rematch with Alex Pereira at Glory of Heroes 7. Pereira won the fight by knockout, after dropping Adesanya with a short left hook in the third round.[48][49]

Professional mixed martial arts career

Early career

Adesanya made his professional debut in 2012, with a TKO win against James Griffiths. He scored another TKO win against John Vake, before taking a two-year hiatus from mixed martial arts. He returned to MMA in August 2015, when he won the fight against Song Kenan by TKO.[50] He went on to amass an 8–0 record, fighting mostly in Oceanian and Chinese circuits. During this run, he won the AFC Middleweight Championship at Australia Fighting Championship 20 with a first-round TKO over Melvin Guillard,[51] as well as the Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship with a first-round KO of Stuart Dare.[52]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In December 2017, it was announced that Adesanya had signed a contract with the UFC. He made his debut against Rob Wilkinson on 11 February 2018, at UFC 221.[53] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[54] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[55] [check quotation syntax][check quotation syntax] Adesanya’s next fight took place on 14 April 2018, against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29.[56] He won the match by split decision.[57]

Adesanya then faced Brad Tavares on 6 July 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.[58] Adesanya won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[59] This win earned him his second Performance of the Night award.[60]

Adesanya faced Derek Brunson on 3 November 2018, at UFC 230.[61] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[62] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award for a third time.[63]

While initially expected to serve as the co-main event, Adesanya faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva on 10 February 2019, in the main event of UFC 234.[64] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[65] This fight earned both competitors the Fight of the Night award.[66]

UFC Middleweight Championship

Adesanya faced Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship on 13 April 2019, in the co-main event of UFC 236.[67] He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 48-46.[68] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[69] The fight was widely regarded as the best fight of the year, earning the nomination from most of the MMA news outlets.[70]

Adesanya then faced Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout on 6 October 2019, headlining UFC 243 for UFC Middleweight Championship.[71] After a knockdown in last second of the first round, Adesanya won the fight via knockout in the second round.[72] This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.[73]

Adesanya next faced three-time UFC title challenger Yoel Romero on 7 March 2020 UFC 248.[74] He won the fight via unanimous decision, with scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 and defended his title for the first time.[75] Many fans and pundits felt disappointed due to the low activity by both fighters which resulted in a largely uneventful fight in which neither fighter was able to deliver any significant offense.[76][77]

In his next title defense, Adesanya faced fellow undefeated fighter Paulo Costa on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253.[78] This marked the first time two male unbeaten mixed martial artists met in a title fight since 2009.[79] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[80] This win earned him his fifth Performance of the Night award.[81] After the bout, Adesanya’s visible right-breast gynecomastia drummed up controversy due to possible PEDs use, though Adesanya claimed it was due to his usage of marijuana.[82][83] Adesanya also caused additional controversy by simulating anal sex on the prone Costa at the end of the fight.[84]

Adesanya moved up a weight class and faced Jan Błachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on 6 March 2021, headlining UFC 259.[85] At the weight-ins, Adesanya weighed 200 pounds, five pounds away from the light heavyweight limit.[86] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, with scores of 49-46,49-45 and 49-45, marking the first time he has been defeated in mixed martial arts.[87]

Adesanya rematched Marvin Vettori for the UFC Middleweight Championship on 12 June 2021, headlining UFC 263.[88] Adesanya controlled a majority of the fight winning via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 50-45.[89]

A rematch between Adesanya and Robert Whittaker for the UFC Middleweight Championship took place on 12 February 2022 at UFC 271.[90] Adesanya won the rematch via unanimous decision, with scores of 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.[91]

Adesanya faced Jared Cannonier on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276.[92] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[93] This win earn him the Crypto.com Fan Bonus of the Night first place award which paid in bitcoin of US$30,000.[94]

Adesanya is scheduled to face Alex Pereira on November 12, 2022 at UFC 281.[95]

Professional boxing career

Prizefighting tournaments

Adesanya began his professional boxing career in November 2014 against two-time Australian champion Daniel Ammann.[96] He was granted one of two wildcards to enter the inaugural cruiserweight Super 8 Boxing Tournament.[97] The event was headlined by Shane Cameron and Kali Meehan at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.[98] He suffered a controversial loss via unanimous decision after he looked to have outpointed Ammann in the quarter-finals.[99]

Adesanya re-entered the Super 8 tournament in May 2015, held at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. It was the second cruiserweight series with the winner receiving $25,000 NZD and a new car.[100] He won his first professional fight against fellow New Zealander Asher Derbyshire in the first seed. Adesanya knocked his opponent out in the second round. In the second fight of the tournament, Adesanya won a majority decision against Lance Bryant. In the tournament final, he defeated Brian Minto by split decision.[101]

Adesanya fought in the 2015 Super 8 Cruiserweight tournament. He won his semifinal match against Zane Hopman by unanimous decision, and defended the cruiserweight crown with a unanimous decision win against Lance Bryant in the final.[102]

Controversies

In February 2020, Adesanya came under fire for comments made at the UFC 248 pre-fight press conference, where he said he would make opponent Yoel Romero “crumble like the Twin Towers“, referencing the September 11 attacks.[103] The following day, Adesanya made an apology on his Instagram page, saying “I was simply rambling and my brain worked faster than my mouth in a moment to choose the wrong euphemism. You speak on the mic enough times and you’re bound to miss the mark with some bars. I did on this one and for that I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful in future with my words.”[104]

On 25 March 2021, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sport, Grant Robertson, spoke out against Adesanya’s “flippant comments” on his Instagram “Bro, I will fuckin’ rape you” aimed at fellow UFC middleweight fighter, Kevin Holland. Robertson commented “I’m sure Israel understands that, I believe he has deleted the tweet in question. It will be up to the UFC as to what they do. But I would certainly be making clear to him [Adesanya], and to anybody actually, that we have to take rape seriously. It’s not an issue that anyone should be making jokes or flippant comments about at all.”[105][106][107]

Personal life

Before taking up fighting, Adesanya regularly competed in dance competitions across New Zealand.[108] He highlighted his passion for dance in a choreographed walkout at UFC 243.[109][110]

Adesanya is a fan of anime and has stated he would like to start an anime production company after retiring from fighting.[111] His nickname “The Last Stylebender” is a reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender, an anime-influenced cartoon series.[112] Adesanya has the image of one of the show’s main characters, Toph Beifong, tattooed on his forearm.[113]

In September 2020, he became the first mixed martial arts athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Puma.[114] Adesanya was also signed as an ambassador for Stake.com in January 2021.[115]

Views and positions

Adesanya has endorsed the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.[116]

In June 2021, Adesanya advocated tougher penalties against coward punching following the death of his training partner Fau Vake, who died after being punched in the head the previous month.[117][118]

Championships and accomplishments

Boxing

Kickboxing

Awards

Mixed martial arts

Pay-per-view bouts

No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV buys
1. UFC 234 Adesanya vs. Silva 10 February 2019 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, Australia 175,000[148]
2. UFC 253 Adesanya vs. Costa 27 September 2020 Flash Forum Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 700,000[149]
3. UFC 259 Błachowicz vs. Adesanya 6 March 2021 UFC Apex Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S 800,000[150]
4. UFC 263 Adesanya vs. Vettori 2 12 June 2021 Gila River Arena Glendale, Arizona, U.S 600,000[151]
5. UFC 276 Adesanya vs. Cannonier 2 July 2022 T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S 400,000[152]
Total sales 2,675,000

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown hide
24 matches 23 wins 1 loss
By knockout 15 0
By decision 8 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 23–1 Jared Cannonier Decision (unanimous) UFC 276 2 July 2022 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 22–1 Robert Whittaker Decision (unanimous) UFC 271 12 February 2022 5 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 21–1 Marvin Vettori Decision (unanimous) UFC 263 12 June 2021 5 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss 20–1 Jan Błachowicz Decision (unanimous) UFC 259 6 March 2021 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight debut. For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win 20–0 Paulo Costa TKO (punches and elbows) UFC 253 27 September 2020 2 3:59 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 19–0 Yoel Romero Decision (unanimous) UFC 248 7 March 2020 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 18–0 Robert Whittaker KO (punches) UFC 243 6 October 2019 2 3:33 Melbourne, Australia Won and unified the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win 17–0 Kelvin Gastelum Decision (unanimous) UFC 236 13 April 2019 5 5:00 Atlanta, Georgia, United States Won the interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win 16–0 Anderson Silva Decision (unanimous) UFC 234 10 February 2019 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia Fight of the Night.
Win 15–0 Derek Brunson TKO (knees and punches) UFC 230 3 November 2018 1 4:51 New York City, New York, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 14–0 Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale 6 July 2018 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 13–0 Marvin Vettori Decision (split) UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje 14 April 2018 3 5:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win 12–0 Rob Wilkinson TKO (knees and punches) UFC 221 11 February 2018 2 3:37 Perth, Australia Performance of the Night.
Win 11–0 Stuart Dare KO (head kick) Hex Fighting Series 12 24 November 2017 1 4:53 Melbourne, Australia Won the vacant Hex Fight Series Middleweight Championship.
Win 10–0 Melvin Guillard TKO (punches) AFC 20 28 July 2017 1 4:49 Melbourne, Australia Won the AFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 9–0 Murad Kuramagomedov TKO (punches) Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 4 28 May 2016 2 1:05 Henan, China
Win 8–0 Andrew Flores Smith TKO (corner stoppage) Glory of Heroes 2 7 May 2016 1 5:00 Shenzhen, China
Win 7–0 Dibir Zagirov TKO (punches) Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 2 13 March 2016 2 2:23 Henan, China
Win 6–0 Vladimir Katykhin TKO (doctor stoppage) Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 1 13 January 2016 2 2:13 Henan, China
Win 5–0 Gele Qing TKO (elbows) Wu Lin Feng 2015: New Zealand vs. China 19 September 2015 2 3:37 Auckland, New Zealand
Win 4–0 Maui Tuigamala TKO (kick to the body) Fair Pay Fighting 1 5 September 2015 2 1:25 Auckland, New Zealand
Win 3–0 Song Kenan TKO (head kick) The Legend of Emei 3 8 August 2015 1 1:59 Shahe, China
Win 2–0 John Vake TKO (punches) Shuriken MMA: Best of the Best 15 June 2013 1 4:43 Auckland, New Zealand
Win 1–0 James Griffiths TKO (punches) Supremacy Fighting Championship 9 24 March 2012 1 2:09 Auckland, New Zealand Middleweight debut.

[153]

Professional kickboxing record (incomplete)

Kickboxing record (incomplete)
75 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record
2017-03-04 Loss Brazil Alex Pereira Glory of Heroes 7 Sao Paulo, Brazil KO (left hook)[154] 3 0:42 30–5
2017-01-20 Loss Netherlands Jason Wilnis Glory 37: Los Angeles Los Angeles, California, US Decision (unanimous)[155] 5 3:00 30–4
For the Glory Middleweight Championship.
2016-10-21 Win Netherlands Yousri Belgaroui Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Finals Broomfield, Colorado, US Decision (split) 3 3:00 30–3
Wins Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Championship.
2016-10-21 Win Canada Robert Thomas Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament, Semi Finals Broomfield, Colorado, US Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 29–3
2016-10-01 Win Romania Bogdan Stoica Glory of Heroes 5 Zhengzhou, China KO (left mid kick) 2 1:45 28–3
2016-09-17 Win France Romain Falendry Rise of Heroes 1 Chaoyang, Liaoning, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 27–3
2016-08-06 Win Netherlands Yousri Belgaroui Glory of Heroes 4 Changzhi, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 26–3
2016-07-02 Win Belgium Filip Verlinden Glory of Heroes 3 Jiyuan, Henan, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 13–2
2016-06-25 Win Ukraine Vitaly Kodin Wu Lin Feng China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 25–3
2016-04-02 Loss Brazil Alex Pereira Glory of Heroes 1 Shenzhen, China Decision (unanimous)[156] 3 3:00 24–3
2016-01-30 Win Sweden Carl N’Diaye The Legend of Emei 7 – Wenjiang Wenjiang, China KO (left hook to the body) 1 3:00 24–2
2015-10-31 Win New Zealand Jamie Eades King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Final Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 23–2
Wins King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III Tournament Championship.
2015-10-31 Win Australia Dan Roberts King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 0:26 22–2
2015-10-31 Win Australia Nase Foai King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 3 N/A 21–2
2015-04-11 Win New Zealand Pati Afoa King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Final Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 N/A 20–2
Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III Tournament Championship.
2015-04-11 Win Australia Mark Timms King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 2 N/A 19–2
2015-04-11 Win Australia Kim Loudon King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 3 N/A 18–2
2015-02-14 Win Australia Kim Loudon Knees of Fury 50 Adelaide, Australia TKO 4 N/A 17–2
2014-08-30 Win New Zealand Jamie Eades King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Final Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 N/A 16–2
Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II Tournament Championship.
2014-08-30 Win New Zealand Pati Afoa King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand KO N/A N/A 15–2
2014-08-30 Win New Zealand Slava Alexeichik King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 14–2
2014-04-12 Loss Belgium Filip Verlinden Glory 15: Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey Decision (unanimous)[157] 3 3:00 12–2
2014-02-16 Loss Canada Simon Marcus Kunlun Fight 2 – 80kg tournament, Semi Finals Zhengzhou, China Ext. R Decision (split)[158] 4 3:00 12–1
2013-11-27 Win China Qin Shan Wu Lin Feng 2013 Anyang, China TKO 3 N/A 12–0
2013 Win China Nurla Mulali Wu Lin Feng 2013 Kashi, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 11–0
2012-07-21 Win China Niu Xiaoqiang Wu Lin Feng 2012 Auckland, New Zealand KO (punches) 3 N/A 10–0
2012-06-23 Win China Xu Yi Wu Lin Feng 2012 Foshan, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 9–0
2011-09-24 Win China Guo Qiang Wu Lin Feng 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TKO (referee stoppage) 3 N/A 8–0
2011-02-12 Win New Zealand Eds Eramiha Rumble in the Ville Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 7–0
2010-05-16 Win Australia Tim Atonio Fight Force Melbourne, Australia Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 6–0
2010-12-04 Win New Zealand Eds Eramiha Puma 8 Man Tournament New Zealand N/A N/A N/A 5–0
2010-12-04 Win New Zealand Ti’i Nanai Puma 8 Man Tournament New Zealand N/A N/A N/A 4–0
2010-12-04 Win New Zealand Areta Gilbert Puma 8 Man Tournament New Zealand N/A N/A N/A 3–0
2010-07-17 Win New Zealand Ben Davis Lee Gar 35th Year Anniversary New Zealand N/A N/A N/A 2–0
2010-04-23 Win New Zealand Jerry Seagar Bring the South to the City 3 New Zealand N/A N/A N/A 1–0