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
Born	Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya[1][2] 22 July 1989 Lagos, Nigeria
Nickname(s)	The Last Stylebender
Residence	Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality	Nigerian New Zealander
Height	193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb)
Division	Middleweight
Reach	80 in (203 cm)[3]
Style	Kickboxing, Boxing
Stance	Orthodox
Fighting out of	Auckland, New Zealand
Team	City Kickboxing (2010–present)[4]
Trainer	Eugene Bareman: Head coach Andrei Păuleț: Wrestling[5][6]
Rank	Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão[7]
Years active	2009–present
Professional boxing record
Total	6
Wins	5
By knockout	1
Losses	1
Kickboxing record
Total	80
Wins	75
By knockout	29
Losses	5
By knockout	1
Mixed martial arts record
Total	20
Wins	20
By knockout	15
By decision	5
Losses	0
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

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • UFC Middleweight Championship (One time, current)
    • Two successful title defenses
  • Interim UFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
  • Performance of the Night (Five times) vs. Rob Wilkinson, Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson, Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa[58][63][66][95][84]
  • Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum[96][72]
  • Most Knockdowns in a UFC Title Fight (4)[97]
• Australian Fighting Championship
  • AFC Middleweight Champion (one time)
• Hex Fighting Series Middleweight
  • Hex Fighting Series Middleweight Champion (one time)
• MMAJunkie.com
  • 2018 Newcomer of the Year[98]
  • 2019 April Fight of the Month vs. Kelvin Gastelum[99]
  • 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[100]
  • 2019 Male Fighter of the Year[101]
• MMA Fighting
  • 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[102]
  • 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[103]
  • 2019 Fighter of the Year[104]
• CombatPress.com
  • 2018 Breakout Fighter of the Year[105]
  • 2019 Male Fighter of the Year[106]
  • 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[107]
• CagesidePress.com
  • 2019 Fighter of the Year[108]
  • 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[109]
• MMADNA.nl
  • 2018 Rising Star of the Year.[110]
• The Body Lock
  • 2019 Fighter of the Year[111]
• World MMA Awards
  • 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[112]
  • 2019 – July 2020 Charles 'Mask' Lewis Fighter of the Year[113]
  • 2019 – July 2020 International Fighter of the Year[113]
• MMAMania.com
  • 2019 Fighter of the Year[114]
  • 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[115]
• Halberg Awards
  • 2019 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year[116]
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
  • Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year (2019)
  • MMA Match of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum, 2019)

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 Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2017-03-04 Loss Alex Pereira Glory of Heroes 7 Sao Paulo, Brazil KO (left hook)[118] 3 0:42 23-5 2017-01-20 Loss Jason Wilnis Glory 37: Los Angeles Los Angeles, California, US Decision (unanimous)[119] 5 3:00 23-4 For the Glory Middleweight Championship. 2016-10-21 Win Yousri Belgaroui Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Finals Broomfield, Colorado, US Decision (split) 3 3:00 23-3 Wins Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Championship. 2016-10-21 Win Robert Thomas Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament, Semi Finals Broomfield, Colorado, US Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 22-3 2016-10-01 Win Bogdan Stoica Glory of Heroes 5 Zhengzhou, China KO (left mid kick) 2 1:45 21-3 2016-09-17 Win Romain Falendry Rise of Heroes 1 Chaoyang, Liaoning, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 20-3 2016-08-06 Win Yousri Belgaroui Glory of Heroes 4 Changzhi, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 19-3 2016-06-25 Win Vitaly Kodin Wu Lin Feng China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 18-3 2016-04-02 Loss Alex Pereira Glory of Heroes 1 Shenzhen, China Decision (unanimous)[120] 3 3:00 17-3 2016-01-30 Win Carl N'Diaye The Legend of Emei 7 – Wenjiang Wenjiang, China KO (left hook to the body) 1 3:00 17-2 2015-10-31 Win Jamie Eades King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Final Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 16-2 Wins King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III Tournament Championship. 2015-10-31 Win Dan Roberts King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 0:26 15-2 2015-10-31 Win Nase Foai King in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 2 N/A 14-2 2015-04-11 Win Pati Afoa King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Final Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 N/A 13-2 Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III Tournament Championship. 2015-04-11 Win Mark Timms King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 2 N/A 12-2 2015-04-11 Win Kim Loudon King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand TKO 3 N/A 11-2 2015-02-14 Win Kim Loudon Knees of Fury 50 Adelaide, Australia TKO 4 N/A 10-2 2014-08-30 Win Jamie Eades King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Final Auckland, New Zealand KO 1 N/A 9-2 Wins King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II Tournament Championship. 2014-08-30 Win Pati Afoa King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Semi Finals Auckland, New Zealand KO N/A N/A 8-2 2014-08-30 Win Slava Alexeichik King in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Quarter Finals Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 7-2 2014-07-02 Win Filip Verlinden Glory of Heroes 3 Jiyuan, Henan, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 6-2 2014-04-12 Loss Filip Verlinden Glory 15: Istanbul Istanbul, Turkey Decision (unanimous)[121] 3 3:00 5-2 2014-02-16 Loss Simon Marcus Kunlun Fight 2 – 80kg tournament, Semi Finals Zhengzhou, China Ext. R Decision (split)[122] 4 3:00 5-1 2013-11-27 Win Qin Shan Wu Lin Feng 2013 Anyang, China TKO 3 N/A 5-0 2013-0-0 Win Nurla Mulali Wu Lin Feng 2013 Kashi, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 4-0 2012-07-21 Win Niu Xiaoqiang Wu Lin Feng 2012 Auckland, New Zealand KO (punches) 3 N/A 3-0 2012-06-23 Win Xu Yi Wu Lin Feng 2012 Foshan, China Decision (unanimous) 3 3:00 2-0 2011-09-24 Win Guo Qiang Wu Lin Feng 2011 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia TKO (referee stoppage) 3 N/A 1-0 2011-02-12 Win Eds Eramiha Rumble in the Ville Auckland, New Zealand Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 2–0 2010-05-31 Win Tim Atonio Fight Force Melbourne, Australia Decision (unanimous) 5 2:00 1–0 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

• List of male kickboxers
• List of current UFC fighters
• List of male mixed martial artists
• List of undefeated mixed martial artists

References

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External links

• Profile at GLORY
• Israel Adesanya at UFC
• Professional MMA record for Israel Adesanya from Sherdog
• Boxing record for Israel Adesanya from BoxRec