HomeLifestyle/Entertainment

Israel Adesanya Early Life And Background

0

Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a Nigerian and New Zealand 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 and two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. In kickboxing, he is a former Glory Middleweight Championship title challenger. As of March 21, 2023, he is #5 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

Early life and background

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

Following high school graduation, Adesanya enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Design at the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui. At the age of 18, he started training in kickboxing, after being inspired by the Muay Thai film Ong-Bak. 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. 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. He trains in wrestling under the Romanian New Zealander Andrei Păuleț.

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

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.[30] Adesanya afterwards made his Glory debut at Glory 15, when he faced Filip Verlinden. Verlinden won the fight by unanimous decision.[31] 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. 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.

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.

Glory Middleweight Championship

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

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. 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.

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.

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. 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,[45] as well as the Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship with a first-round KO of Stuart Dare.[46]

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. He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus. Adesanya’s next fight took place on 14 April 2018, against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29. He won the match by split decision.

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

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

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. He won the fight via unanimous decision. This fight earned both competitors the Fight of the Night award.

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. He won the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 48-46. This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award. The fight was widely regarded as the best fight of the year, earning the nomination from most of the MMA news outlets.

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

Adesanya next faced three-time UFC title challenger Yoel Romero on 7 March 2020 UFC 248. 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. 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.

In his next title defense, Adesanya faced fellow undefeated fighter Paulo Costa on 27 September 2020 at UFC 253. This marked the first time two male unbeaten mixed martial artists met in a title fight since 2009.[73] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round. This win earned him his fifth Performance of the Night award. 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. Adesanya also caused additional controversy by simulating anal sex on the prone Costa at the end of the fight.

Adesanya moved up a weight class and faced Jan Błachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on 6 March 2021, headlining UFC 259. At the weight-ins, Adesanya weighed 200 pounds, five pounds away from the light heavyweight limit. 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.

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

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

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

Adesanya faced Alex Pereira, who had two victories against him in kickboxing, on 12 November 2022 at UFC 281. Adesanya lost the fight and title via technical knockout in the fifth round, his first loss at middleweight.

A rematch between Pereira and Adesanya for the UFC Middleweight Championship took place on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. In second round while against the fence, Adesanya landed a right hook that knocked Pereira out, winning him the bout and the title. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Professional boxing career

Prizefighting tournaments

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

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. 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.

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.

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. 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.”

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.”

On 16 November 2022, Adesanya was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City for the possession of brass knuckles.

Personal life

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

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

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

Views and positions

Adesanya endorsed a “yes” vote in the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.

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.

Championships and accomplishments

Boxing

  • Super 8 Boxing Tournament
    • Super 8 III Cruiserweight Champion (eight man Tournament)
    • Super 8 IV Cruiserweight Champion (four man Tournament)

Kickboxing

Awards

Mixed martial arts

Pay-per-view bouts

No.EventFightDateVenueCityPPV buys
1.UFC 234Adesanya vs. Silva10 February 2019Rod Laver ArenaMelbourne, Australia175,000
2.UFC 253Adesanya vs. Costa27 September 2020Flash ForumAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates700,000
3.UFC 259Błachowicz vs. Adesanya6 March 2021UFC ApexLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S800,000
4.UFC 263Adesanya vs. Vettori 212 June 2021Gila River ArenaGlendale, Arizona, U.S600,000

Mixed martial arts record

26 matches24 wins2 losses
By knockout161
By decision81
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win24–2Alex PereiraKO (punches)UFC 287April 8, 202324:21Miami, Florida, United StatesWon the UFC Middleweight Championship, Performance of the Night.
Loss23–2Alex PereiraTKO (punches)UFC 281November 12, 202252:01New York City, New York, United StatesLost the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win23–1Jared CannonierDecision (unanimous)UFC 276July 2, 202255:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win22–1Robert WhittakerDecision (unanimous)UFC 271February 12, 202255:00Houston, Texas, United StatesDefended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win21–1Marvin VettoriDecision (unanimous)UFC 263June 12, 202155:00Glendale, Arizona, United StatesDefended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss20–1Jan BłachowiczDecision (unanimous)UFC 259March 6, 202155:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesLight Heavyweight debut. For the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.
Win20–0Paulo CostaTKO (punches and elbows)UFC 253September 27, 202023:59Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesDefended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win19–0Yoel RomeroDecision (unanimous)UFC 248March 7, 202055:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesDefended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win18–0Robert WhittakerKO (punches)UFC 243October 6, 201923:33Melbourne, AustraliaWon and unified the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Win17–0Kelvin GastelumDecision (unanimous)UFC 236April 13, 201955:00Atlanta, Georgia, United StatesWon the interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night.
Win16–0Anderson SilvaDecision (unanimous)UFC 234February 10, 201935:00Melbourne, AustraliaFight of the Night.
Win15–0Derek BrunsonTKO (knees and punches)UFC 230November 3, 201814:51New York City, New York, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win14–0Brad TavaresDecision (unanimous)The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated FinaleJuly 6, 201855:00Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win13–0Marvin VettoriDecision (split)UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. GaethjeApril 14, 201835:00Glendale, Arizona, United States
Win12–0Rob WilkinsonTKO (knees and punches)UFC 221February 11, 201823:37Perth, AustraliaPerformance of the Night.
Win11–0Stuart DareKO (head kick)Hex Fighting Series 12November 24, 201714:53Melbourne, AustraliaWon the vacant Hex Fight Series Middleweight Championship.
Win10–0Melvin GuillardTKO (punches)AFC 20July 28, 201714:49Melbourne, AustraliaWon the AFC Middleweight Championship.
Win9–0Murad KuramagomedovTKO (punches)Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 4May 28, 201621:05Henan, China
Win8–0Andrew Flores SmithTKO (corner stoppage)Glory of Heroes 2May 7, 201615:00Shenzhen, China
Win7–0Dibir ZagirovTKO (punches)Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 2March 13, 201622:23Henan, China
Win6–0Vladimir KatykhinTKO (doctor stoppage)Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 1January 13, 201622:13Henan, China
Win5–0Gele QingTKO (elbows)Wu Lin Feng 2015: New Zealand vs. ChinaSeptember 19, 201523:37Auckland, New Zealand
Win4–0Maui TuigamalaTKO (kick to the body)Fair Pay Fighting 1September 5, 201521:25Auckland, New Zealand
Win3–0Song KenanTKO (head kick)The Legend of Emei 3August 8, 201511:59Shahe, China
Win2–0John VakeTKO (punches)Shuriken MMA: Best of the BestJune 15, 201314:43Auckland, New Zealand
Win1–0James GriffithsTKO (punches)Supremacy Fighting Championship 9March 24, 201212:09Auckland, New ZealandMiddleweight debut.

[152]

Professional kickboxing record (incomplete)

75 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTimeRecord
2017-03-04Loss Alex PereiraGlory of Heroes 7Sao Paulo, BrazilKO (left hook)]30:4231–5
2017-01-20Loss Jason WilnisGlory 37: Los AngelesLos Angeles, California, USDecision (unanimous)[154]53:0031–4
For the Glory Middleweight Championship.
2016-10-21Win Yousri BelgarouiGlory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament FinalsBroomfield, Colorado, USDecision (split)33:0031–3
Wins Glory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament Championship.
2016-10-21Win Robert ThomasGlory 34: Denver – Middleweight Contender Tournament, Semi FinalsBroomfield, Colorado, USDecision (unanimous)33:0030–3
2016-10-01Win Bogdan StoicaGlory of Heroes 5Zhengzhou, ChinaKO (left mid kick)21:4529–3
2016-09-17Win Romain FalendryRise of Heroes 1Chaoyang, Liaoning, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0028–3
2016-08-06Win Yousri BelgarouiGlory of Heroes 4Changzhi, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0027–3
2016-07-02Win Filip VerlindenGlory of Heroes 3Jiyuan, Henan, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0026–3
2016-06-25Win Vitaly KodinWu Lin FengChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0026–3
2016-04-02Loss Alex PereiraGlory of Heroes 1Shenzhen, ChinaDecision (unanimous)[155]33:0025–3
2016-01-30Win Carl N’DiayeThe Legend of Emei 7 – WenjiangWenjiang, ChinaKO (left hook to the body)13:0025–2
2015-10-31Win Jamie EadesKing in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, FinalAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)33:0024–2
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 ZealandKO10:2623–2
2015-10-31Win Nase FoaiKing in the Ring 100 – The Heavyweights III, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandTKO3N/A22–2
2015-04-11Win Pati AfoaKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, FinalAuckland, New ZealandKO1N/A21–2
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/A20–2
2015-04-11Win Kim LoudonKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights III, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandTKO3N/A19–2
2015-02-14Win Kim LoudonKnees of Fury 50Adelaide, AustraliaTKO4N/A18–2
2014-09-21Win Wenjie GuoKungfu UnionDalian, ChinaDecision33:0017–2
2014-08-30Win Jamie EadesKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, FinalAuckland, New ZealandKO1N/A16–2
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/A15–2
2014-08-30Win Slava AlexeichikKing in the Ring 86 – The Cruiserweights II, Quarter FinalsAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)33:0014–2
2014-04-12Loss Filip VerlindenGlory 15: IstanbulIstanbul, TurkeyDecision (unanimous)[156]33:0013–2
2014-02-16Loss Simon MarcusKunlun Fight 2 – 80kg tournament, Semi FinalsZhengzhou, ChinaExt. R Decision (split)[157]43:0013–1
2013-11-27Win Qin ShanWu Lin Feng 2013Anyang, ChinaTKO3N/A13–0
2013-09-11Win Nurla MulaliWu Lin Feng 2013Kashi, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0012–0
2012-07-21Win Niu XiaoqiangWu Lin Feng 2012Auckland, New ZealandKO (punches)3N/A11–0
2012-06-23Win Xu YiWu Lin Feng 2012Foshan, ChinaDecision (unanimous)33:0010–0
2011-09-24Win Guo QiangCI-KKuala Lumpur, MalaysiaTKO (referee stoppage)3N/A9–0
2011-06-11Win Guo QiangWu Lin Feng 2011Shangqiu, ChinaDecision33:008–0
2011-02-12Win Eds EramihaRumble in the VilleAuckland, New ZealandDecision (unanimous)52:007–0
2010-05-16Win Tim AtonioFight ForceMelbourne, AustraliaDecision (unanimous)52:006–0
2010-12-04Win Eds EramihaPuma 8 Man TournamentNew ZealandN/AN/AN/A5–0
2010-12-04Win Ti’i NanaiPuma 8 Man TournamentNew ZealandN/AN/AN/A4–0
2010-12-04Win Areta GilbertPuma 8 Man TournamentNew ZealandN/AN/AN/A3–0
2010-07-17Win Ben DavisLee Gar 35th Year AnniversaryNew ZealandN/AN/AN/A2–0
2010-04-23Win Jerry SeagarBring the South to the City 3New ZealandN/AN/AN/A1–0
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Professional boxing record

hide6 fights5 wins1 loss
By knockout10
By decision41
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
6Win5–1Lance BryantUD33 Nov 2015SkyCity, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament IV: cruiserweight final
5Win4–1Zane HopmanUD33 Nov 2015SkyCity, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament IV: cruiserweight semi-final
4Win3–1Brian MintoSD328 Mar 2015Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament III: cruiserweight final
3Win2–1Lance BryantMD328 Mar 2015Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament III: cruiserweight semi-final
2Win1–1Asher DerbyshireKO2 (3)28 Mar 2015Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament III: cruiserweight quarter-final
1Loss0–1Daniel AmmannUD322 Nov 2014North Shore Events Centre, Auckland, New ZealandSuper 8 Boxing Tournament II: cruiserweight quarter-final

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Loading...
Newer Post
Older Post

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 0

Leave a Reply

DISQUS: 0