Israel Adesanya, a proud representative of Nigeria, is flying the country’s flag high in the world of MMA.
Israel Adesanya, a two-time UFC middleweight champion with an impressive track record of 5 successful title defenses, is a source of pride for Nigeria. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to New Zealand at the age of 10 and has made it his home ever since.
Adesanya’s journey in the world of martial arts began in kickboxing, where he amassed a remarkable 32-0 amateur record and a formidable 75-5 professional record. During his kickboxing career, he achieved significant milestones, including winning three King in the Ring tournaments and the 2016 Glory Middleweight tournament. He even challenged for the Glory Middleweight Championship, showcasing his prowess in the striking arts.
In the realm of MMA, Adesanya has displayed a level of skill and finesse that sets him apart. His kickboxing skills are second to none in the MMA world, making him a formidable opponent in the striking department. Complementing this, he boasts excellent takedown defense, allowing him to keep fights in his preferred standing position. Adesanya’s understanding and control of range enable him to dissect opponents with precision and land powerful counters that are difficult to anticipate.
With 16 knockouts and 8 decision victories in his 24 wins, Adesanya’s striking technique, power, and accuracy are truly exceptional. He approaches fights with tunnel vision, unwavering focus, and remarkable composure. What’s more, he is equally proficient in both southpaw and orthodox stances, adding another layer of versatility to his skill set.
While he had the confidence and talent to challenge Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight title, his smaller frame proved a disadvantage against Jan’s takedowns and top control.
Nevertheless, Adesanya has defeated some of the biggest names in MMA, including Alex Pereira, Marvin Vettori, Yoel Romero, Anderson Silva, Jared Cannonier, Paulo Costa, and Robert Whittaker twice.
Despite Sean Strickland’s stunning upset victory over Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya to claim the UFC middleweight title at Sydney, Australia’s Qudos Bank Arena, the Stylebender continues to make his native country proud.
His achievements make him the best Nigerian UFC fighter to date and position him on a trajectory to become the all-time great UFC middleweight.
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