Israel Adesanya’s coronation right into a superstar will live within the UFC history books endlessly.
Israel Adesanya‘s first UFC world title victory can be remembered endlessly as one among the all-time great gladiator battles in MMA history.
Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum fought for the interim UFC middleweight championship at UFC 236. At a degree when the middleweight division needed a superstar following Anderson Silva‘s decline, Adesanya seized the chance to turn out to be the following man up.
Adesanya and Gastelum treated fans to a five-round war, which included Adesanya’s first real test of adversity contained in the Octagon. Gastelum had Adesanya in big trouble within the early rounds and appeared on the cusp of doubtless ending the then-undefeated middleweight.
After a back-and-forth first 4 rounds of the fight, Adesanya’s famous line ‘I’m prepared to die!’ within the corner propelled him to seal the deal in Round 5. He earned a unanimous decision win over Gastelum to win the interim UFC middleweight title and get the nod to face then-lineal middleweight champ Robert Whittaker.
Almost exactly six years after UFC 236, Adesanya vs. Gastelum is the most recent addition to the UFC Hall of Fame’s fight wing, and each men will enter the decorated group this summer.
Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum are cemented UFC fight lore
Adesanya’s three knockdowns in Round 5 are probably the most in a single Round 5 all-time in five-round title fights. He earned 4 knockdowns overall, probably the most ever in a UFC world championship bout.
“The fight between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 was one among the best fights I’ve ever seen in my life,” UFC CEO Dana White said in an announcement. “This was an absolute war with the interim title on the road. Congrats to Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum on a fight that may at all times be remembered!”
Adesanya vs. Gastelum earned ‘Fight of the Yr’ honors from many media outlets and is taken into account by many as the best middleweight bout ever. As of this writing, Gastelum hasn’t issued an announcement on the fight’s HOF induction, and Adesanya was sitting Octagonside for the announced induction at UFC 312.
After defeating Gastelum, Adesanya knocked out Whittaker to turn out to be the lineal UFC middleweight champion at UFC 243. He defended the middleweight belt five times.
Israel Adesanya earns an enormous honor as he contemplates UFC future
Six years after UFC 236, Adesanya is coming off of back-to-back losses for the primary time in his UFC profession. Adesanya initially teased a possible retirement but appears able to challenge himself against one other top contender after falling to Nassourdine Imavov earlier this month.
While Adesanya’s place within the middleweight title picture is foggy, he stays a top star within the division and an intriguing name for up-and-coming contenders. Adesanya could potentially face Caio Borralho next after the 2 sides have expressed mutual interest in making a fight come to fruition.
The UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is anticipated to be finalized in the approaching months ahead of the International Fight Week ceremony this summer.
