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LowKick MMA

Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya News

Israel-Adesanya

DOB: July 22nd, 1989
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Nickname: Stylebender
Gym: City Kickboxing
Style: Kickboxing
Weight Class: Middleweight
Championships: UFC Middleweight Championship

Stylebender finds martial arts

Israel Adesanya was the oldest of five siblings born in Lagos, Nigeria. His parents wanted him to have a better life, so they looked to relocate from Nigeria, when he was young.

They settled in Rotorua, New Zealand, when he was 10. Adesanya was really interested in anime and martial arts wanting to train and be like the characters in Naruto. Also since he was bullied for being an immigrant, Israel wanted to learn to defend himself. 

Stylebender first TaeKwondo as a kid, but got injured. He started training kickboxing when he was 18 being inspired by Tony Jaa in Ong-Bak. 

In 3 years, he earned an amateur kickboxing record of 32-0. When he was 21, he moved to Auckland and began training with City Kickboxing.

Stylebender’s kickboxing career

Before getting into MMA, Israel had quite a career competing in professional kickboxing. Accumulating a record of 75-5 in 8 years.

He primarily fought in China and New Zealand before becoming the first New Zealander to sign with Glory Kickboxing. 

In his kickboxing career, Stylebender won 4 different kickboxing tournaments with the last being the Glory middleweight tournament. Winning the middleweight championship in the final.

Israel would fight in 2 more kickboxing fights before he stopped competing in kickboxing and focused on MMA.

Israel Adesanya’s early MMA career

While Stylebender’s primary focus was kickboxing, he’d also sporadically compete in MMA. His first pro MMA fight was in 2012 and won by first round TKO.

Much like with his early kickboxing career, Israel Adesanya would fight primarily in New Zealand and China. Amassing a record of 11-0 from 2012-2017 with all KO/TKOs within the first 2 rounds.

Stylebender enters the UFC

With an impressive 11-0 MMA record and being a former Glory middleweight champion, Israel was welcomed into the UFC.

He made his promotional debut at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia. Stopping Rob Wilkinson with strikes in the 2nd round.

Israel would continue winning, beating his next two opponents in the prelims before fighting a top 5 opponent. His first real test came against top prospect Derek Brunson.

Adesanya used his superior striking to finish Brunson at the end of the 1st round.  Israel would then have a dream matchup facing his idol Anderson Silva next. Winning that fight by decision to put him in line for a title fight.

Interim title and unification bout

The then middleweight champion Robert Whitaker was on the shelf with an injury. So an interim title match was made putting Stylebender against Kelvin Gastelum.

They would have a fight of the year candidate match pushing each other to their limits. Israel dropped Kelvin a record 4 times in the fight before winning the decision and the interim title.

Six months later, he would have a unification bout with the division champion Robert Whitaker. Israel Adesanya would knock out the champion in the 2nd round to become the undisputed middleweight champion.

Stylebender’s title defenses

Israel’s first title defense came against feared fight Yoel Romero. Due to both men being counter fighters, there wasn’t as much action as expected in their match. Stylebender would win a decision to set up his next fight against Paulo Costo. 

There was a lot of hostility and personal attacks between the two leading up to the fight at UFC 253. Adesanya would dominante the Brazilian finishing Costa with strikes to defend the title and stay undefeated.

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya has no interest in title fight trilogy we have to move on
UFC News MMA News

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya has ‘No interest’ in title fight trilogy: ‘We have to forget about it’

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has echoed claims that two-time Octagon rival, Israel Adesanya has zero interest in…

Read More Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya has ‘No interest’ in title fight trilogy: ‘We have to forget about it’Continue

Israel Adesanya distraught after UFC 293 loss to Sean Strickland we'll get him back
UFC News MMA News

Video – New tape shows distraught Israel Adesanya vowing to beat Sean Strickland after UFC 293: ‘We’ll get him back’

The Last StyleBender’ Israel Adesanya has been a bit quiet since his loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293….

Read More Video – New tape shows distraught Israel Adesanya vowing to beat Sean Strickland after UFC 293: ‘We’ll get him back’Continue

Video - UFC PR team meets to discuss Sean Strickland's unsavory comments ahead of Adesanya fight
MMA News UFC News

Video – UFC PR team meets to discuss Sean Strickland’s unsavory comments ahead of Adesanya fight

Sean Strickland is keeping the UFC PR department busy. Despite being a former middleweight world champion, the first thing…

Read More Video – UFC PR team meets to discuss Sean Strickland’s unsavory comments ahead of Adesanya fightContinue

Sean Strickland Kinda-Sorta apologizes for comments about Israel Adesanya's dog: 'I might of been a little insensitive'
UFC News MMA News

Sean Strickland kinda-sorta apologizes for comments about Israel Adesanya’s dog: ‘I might of been a little insensitive’

Sean Strickland may have gotten in touch with his “inner Izzy” after having to put down his oldest friend….

Read More Sean Strickland kinda-sorta apologizes for comments about Israel Adesanya’s dog: ‘I might of been a little insensitive’Continue

Israel Adesanya rips rival Paulo Costa after UFC 302 loss to Sean Strickland he sucks
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya rips former rival Paulo Costa after UFC 302 loss to Sean Strickland: ‘He sucks’

Israel Adesanya figured Sean Strickland would beat Paulo Costa, so he wasn’t surprised to see him get the win…

Read More Israel Adesanya rips former rival Paulo Costa after UFC 302 loss to Sean Strickland: ‘He sucks’Continue

Israel Adesanya hints at UFC return in new training footage amid links to Dricus du Plessis clash I'm dialled in
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya teases UFC return fight in new training footage amid link to clash with Dricus du Plessis: ‘I’m dialled in’

Former two-time middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed he is “dialled in” in new training footage, amid continued links…

Read More Israel Adesanya teases UFC return fight in new training footage amid link to clash with Dricus du Plessis: ‘I’m dialled in’Continue

Israel Adesanya slaps big money bet on Deontay Wilder to land KO win against Zhilei Zhang
Boxing News MMA News UFC News

Israel Adesanya slaps big money bet on Deontay Wilder to land KO win against Zhilei Zhang tonight

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has deug into his pockets ahead of tonight’s massive heavyweight boxing fight…

Read More Israel Adesanya slaps big money bet on Deontay Wilder to land KO win against Zhilei Zhang tonightContinue

Dricus Du Plessis eyes champ-champ status with wins over Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev
UFC News MMA News

Dricus Du Plessis eyes champ-champ status with wins over Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev

Dricus Du Plessis has his sights set on champ-champ status. But before ‘Stillknocks’ can focus on picking up a…

Read More Dricus Du Plessis eyes champ-champ status with wins over Israel Adesanya and Khamzat ChimaevContinue

UFC star Israel Adesanya immortalized in massive mural by famous street artist Owen Dippie
UFC News

UFC star Israel Adesanya immortalized in massive mural by famous street artist Owen Dippie

UFC superstar Israel Adesanya has been immortalized with a magnificent mural in his home country. Owen Dippie, an internationally…

Read More UFC star Israel Adesanya immortalized in massive mural by famous street artist Owen DippieContinue

Israel Adesanya reveals he's getting ready for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya reveals he’s ‘Getting ready’ for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du Plessis

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has revealed he is currently in “pre-season” ahead of an impending return to…

Read More Israel Adesanya reveals he’s ‘Getting ready’ for fighting return amid links to UFC 305 clash with Dricus du PlessisContinue

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