Israel Adesanya

Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya[1] (born 22 July 1989) is a Nigerian-born New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, and retired kickboxer and boxer.[8][9] As a mixed martial artist, he is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), representing his native Nigeria, where he is the UFC Middleweight Champion and has an undefeated record of 20 wins and no losses. In kickboxing, he is the former Glory middleweight contender winner and King in the Ring two-time cruiserweight and heavyweight champion. As of 29 September 2020, he is #3 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[10] Adesanya is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world of mixed martial arts.[11][12][13][14][15]

Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya at UFC 230
BornIsrael Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya[1][2]
(1989-07-22) 22 July 1989
Lagos, Nigeria
Nickname(s)The Last Stylebender
ResidenceAuckland, New Zealand
NationalityNigerian
New Zealander
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
DivisionMiddleweight
Reach80 in (203 cm)[3]
StyleKickboxing, Boxing
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofAuckland, New Zealand
TeamCity Kickboxing (2010–present)[4]
TrainerEugene Bareman: Head coach
Andrei Păuleț: Wrestling[5][6]
RankPurple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão[7]
Years active2009–present
Professional boxing record
Total6
Wins5
By knockout1
Losses1
Kickboxing record
Total80
Wins75
By knockout29
Losses5
By knockout1
Mixed martial arts record
Total20
Wins20
By knockout15
By decision5
Losses0
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the eldest of five children.[8] His father, Oluwafemi,[16] is an accountant and his mother, Taiwo, is a nurse.[17] Adesanya attended Chrisland School, Opebi, and enrolled in its Taekwondo after-school club until he was removed by his mother due to an injury.[8][18][19] 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,[20] he settled in Rotorua, New Zealand at age 10[21] and attended Rotorua Boys' High School.[22] Adesanya was not interested in sport during high school; instead he was interested in Japanese anime such as Death Note[23] and Naruto.[24] He was heavily bullied during his high school years[25] and attributes the mistreatment he experienced to his decision to pursue martial arts later in life.[26]

At the age of 18, Adesanya started training in kickboxing, after being inspired by the Muay Thai film Ong-Bak.[19] He went on to amass an amateur kickboxing record of 32–0 before moving to and fighting in China.[27][28] At the age of 21, Adesanya moved to Auckland, New Zealand, and began training MMA under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing, with fellow fighters Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and Alexander Volkanovski.[29][30][31] 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.[1]

Kickboxing career

Early career

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. His winning streak earned him a place in the 2014 Kunlun Fight 80kg tournament, held during Kunlun Fight 2. He lost the semifinal bout against Simon Marcus by an extra round split decision.[32] Adesanya afterwards made his Glory debut at Glory 15, when he faced Filip Verlinden. Verlinden won the fight by unanimous decision.[33] The two of them fought a rematch at Glory of Heroes 3, three months after their first fight, with Adesanya winning a unanimous decision.

King in the Ring tournaments

Adesanya participated in the King in the Ring Cruiserweights II tournament.[34] 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.[35]

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 of them had previously met in the final of the 2014 Cruiserweight tournament. Adesanya won the tournament final by unanimous decision.[36]

Glory Middleweight Contender tournament

Adesanya would go on to win five of his next six fights, including victories over Yousri Belgaroui[37] and Bogdan Stoica.[38] His sole loss, during this run, came at the hands of the pound for pound great and future GLORY Middleweight champion Alex Pereira. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[39]

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.[40] He fought Jason Wilnis for the Glory Middleweight championship at Glory 37: Los Angeles. Wilnis won the fight by unanimous decision, although the fight results were considered as controversial by many.[41][42][43]

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.[44][45]

Boxing career

Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight II

Adesanya began his professional boxing career in November 2014 against two-time Australian champion Daniel Ammann.[46] He was granted one of two wildcards to enter the inaugural cruiserweight Super 8 Boxing Tournament.[47] The event was headlined by Shane Cameron and Kali Meehan at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.[48] He suffered a controversial loss via unanimous decision after he looked to have outpointed Ammann in the quarter-finals.[49]

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.[50] 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.[51]

Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight III

Adesanya fought in the 2015 Super 8 Cruiserweight tournament, as well. He won his semifinal match against Lance Bryant by unanimous decision, and defended the cruiserweight crown with a unanimous decision win against Zane Hopman in the final.[52]

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.[53] He would go on to amass an undefeated 8-0 record, fighting mostly in the Chinese circuit. During this run, he won the AFC Middleweight Championship at Australia Fighting Championship 20 with a first round TKO over Melvin Guillard,[54] as well as the Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship with a first round KO of Stuart Dare.[55]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On 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.[56] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[57] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[58]

Adesanya's next fight took place on 14 April 2018, against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29.[59] He won the match by split decision.[60]

Adesanya then faced Brad Tavares on 6 July 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.[61] Adesanya won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[62] This win earned him his second Performance of the Night award.[63]

Adesanya faced Derek Brunson on 3 November 2018, at UFC 230.[64] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[65] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award for a third time.[66]

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.[67] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[68] This fight earned both competitors the Fight of the Night award.[69]

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.[70] He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.[71] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[72] The fight was widely regarded as the best fight of the year, earning the nomination from most of the MMA news outlets.[73]

Adesanya then faced Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout on 6 October 2019, headlining UFC 243 for UFC Middleweight Championship.[74] After a knockdown in last second of the first round, Adesanya won the fight via knockout in the second round.[75] This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.[76]

Adesanya next faced three-time UFC title challenger Yoel Romero on March 7, 2020 UFC 248.[77] He won the fight via unanimous decision, defending his title for the first time.[78] 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.[79][80]

In his next title defense, Adesanya faced fellow undefeated fighter Paulo Costa on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253.[81] This marked the first time two male unbeaten mixed martial artists met in a title fight since 2009.[82] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[83] This win earned him his fifth Performance of the Night award.[84]

Adesanya is now expected to move up a weight class and challenge Jan Błachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on 6 March 2021, at UFC 259.[85]

Personal life

Before taking up fighting, Adesanya regularly competed in dance competitions across New Zealand.[86] He highlighted his passion for dance in a choreographed walkout at UFC 243.[87][88]

Adesanya is a fan of anime and would like to start an anime production company after retiring from fighting.[89] His nickname "The Last Stylebender" is a reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender, an anime-influenced cartoon series.[90] Adesanya has the image of one of the show's main characters, Toph Beifong, tattooed on his forearm.[91]

Adesanya has endorsed the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.[92]

In September 2020, he became the first mixed martial arts athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Puma.[93] Adesanya was also signed as an ambassador for Stake.com in January 2021.[94]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
20 matches 20 wins 0 losses
By knockout 15 0
By decision 5 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 20–0 Paulo Costa TKO (punches) 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) Australia Fighting Championship 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 N/A 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 (body kick) 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.

[117]

Kickboxing record (incomplete)
Kickboxing record (incomplete)
75 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2017-03-04Loss Alex PereiraGlory of Heroes 7Sao Paulo, BrazilKO (left hook)[118]30:4223-5
2017-01-20Loss Jason WilnisGlory 37: Los AngelesLos Angeles, California, USDecision (unanimous)[119]53:0023-4
For the Glory Middleweight Championship.
2016-10-21Win Yousri BelgarouiGlory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament FinalsBroomfield, Colorado, USDecision (split)33:0023-3
Wins Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Championship.
2016-10-21Win Robert ThomasGlory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament, Semi FinalsBroomfield, Colorado, USDecision (unanimous)33:0022-3
2016-10-01Win Bogdan StoicaGlory of Heroes 5Zhengzhou, ChinaKO (left mid kick)21:4521-3
2016-09-17Win Romain FalendryRise of Heroes 1Chaoyang, Liaoning, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0020-3
2016-08-06Win Yousri BelgarouiGlory of Heroes 4Changzhi, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0019-3
2016-06-25Win Vitaly KodinWu Lin FengChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0018-3
2016-04-02Loss Alex PereiraGlory of Heroes 1Shenzhen, ChinaDecision (unanimous)[120]33:0017-3
2016-01-30Win Carl N'DiayeThe Legend of Emei 7 – WenjiangWenjiang, ChinaKO (left hook to the body)13:0017-2
2015-10-31Win Jamie EadesKing in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, FinalAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)33:0016-2
Wins King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III Tournament Championship.
2015-10-31Win Dan RobertsKing in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Semi FinalsAuckland, New ZealandKO10:2615-2
2015-10-31Win Nase FoaiKing in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandTKO2N/A14-2
2015-04-11Win Pati AfoaKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, FinalAuckland, New ZealandKO1N/A13-2
Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III Tournament Championship.
2015-04-11Win Mark TimmsKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Semi FinalsAuckland, New ZealandTKO2N/A12-2
2015-04-11Win Kim LoudonKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandTKO3N/A11-2
2015-02-14Win Kim LoudonKnees of Fury 50Adelaide, AustraliaTKO4N/A10-2
2014-08-30Win Jamie EadesKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, FinalAuckland, New ZealandKO1N/A9-2
Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II Tournament Championship.
2014-08-30Win Pati AfoaKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Semi FinalsAuckland, New ZealandKON/AN/A8-2
2014-08-30Win Slava AlexeichikKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)33:007-2
2014-07-02Win Filip VerlindenGlory of Heroes 3Jiyuan, Henan, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:006-2
2014-04-12Loss Filip VerlindenGlory 15: IstanbulIstanbul, TurkeyDecision (unanimous)[121]33:005-2
2014-02-16Loss Simon MarcusKunlun Fight 2 – 80kg tournament, Semi FinalsZhengzhou, ChinaExt. R Decision (split)[122]43:005-1
2013-11-27Win Qin ShanWu Lin Feng 2013Anyang, ChinaTKO3N/A5-0
2013-0-0Win Nurla MulaliWu Lin Feng 2013Kashi, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:004-0
2012-07-21Win Niu XiaoqiangWu Lin Feng 2012Auckland, New ZealandKO (punches)3N/A3-0
2012-06-23Win Xu YiWu Lin Feng 2012Foshan, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:002-0
2011-09-24Win Guo QiangWu Lin Feng 2011Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaTKO (referee stoppage)3N/A1-0
2011-02-12Win Eds EramihaRumble in the VilleAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)52:002–0
2010-05-31Win Tim AtonioFight ForceMelbourne, AustraliaDecision (unanimous)52:001–0

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
6 fights 5 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By decision 4 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
6 Win 5–1 Zane Hopman UD 3 3 Nov 2015 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight III & Light-heavyweight – Final
5 Win 4–1 Lance Bryant UD 3 3 Nov 2015 SkyCity, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight III & Light-heavyweight – Semi-final
4 Win 3–1 Brian Minto SD 3 28 Mar 2015 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight II – Final
3 Win 2–1 Lance Bryant MD 3 28 Mar 2015 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight II – Semi-final
2 Win 1–1 Asher Derbyshire KO 2 (3) 28 Mar 2015 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight II – Quarter-final
1 Loss 0–1 Daniel Ammann UD 3 22 Nov 2014 North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New Zealand Super 8 Boxing Tournament: Cruiserweight I – Quarter-final

Pay-per-view bouts
Event Fight Date Venue City PPV buys
UFC 234 Adesanya vs. Silva 10 February 2019 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, Australia 175,000[123]
UFC 253 Adesanya vs. Costa 27 September 2020 Flash Forum Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 700,000[124]

See also

References
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Sporting positions
Mixed martial arts titles
Preceded by
Robert Whittaker		 11th UFC Middleweight Champion
10 October 2019 – Present		 Incumbent
Kickboxing titles
Preceded by
TY Williams		 2nd King in the Ring Cruiserweight Champion
30 August 2014 – 11 April 2015
Vacated		 Vacant
Vacant 3rd King in the Ring Cruiserweight Champion
11 April 2015 – 17 November 2017
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Slava Alexeichik
Preceded by
Antz Nansen		 3rd King in the Ring Heavyweight Champion
31 October 2015 – 30 June 2017
Vacated		 Succeeded by
Carlos Ulberg
Awards
Preceded by
Tom Walsh		 New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year
2019		 Incumbent
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