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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.

Adesanya Whittaker
UFC News

Dana White Expects 60,000 Sell Out For Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya

Dana White is expecting UFC 243’s headliner between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya to be a sell out. Whittaker…

Read More Dana White Expects 60,000 Sell Out For Robert Whittaker vs. Israel AdesanyaContinue

Israel Adesanya
UFC News

Israel Adesanya Embracing Heel Role Ahead Of UFC 243

UFC 243 is officially set for Marvel Stadium in Australia. It will no doubt be a massive event there….

Read More Israel Adesanya Embracing Heel Role Ahead Of UFC 243Continue

Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya
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Robert Whittaker Confirms UFC 243 Will Happen In Australia

After months of speculation, UFC 243 will not be happening stateside, and instead will be happening in Australia, as…

Read More Robert Whittaker Confirms UFC 243 Will Happen In AustraliaContinue

Jones Adesanya
UFC News

Dana White Is Interested In Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya Fight

UFC president Dana White is interested in a potential Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya fight. However, he feels the…

Read More Dana White Is Interested In Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya FightContinue

Robert Whittaker
UFC News

Robert Whittaker Explains Why He Doesn’t Play The Trash-Talk Game

Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya are set to unify their middleweight titles. The pair will headline the upcoming UFC…

Read More Robert Whittaker Explains Why He Doesn’t Play The Trash-Talk GameContinue

Jones Adesanya
UFC News

Israel Adesanya Slams Jon Jones For Not Moving Up To Heavyweight

Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones have had a rivalry for quite some time now. The two have traded shots…

Read More Israel Adesanya Slams Jon Jones For Not Moving Up To HeavyweightContinue

Jones Adesanya
UFC News

Mike Winkeljohn On Israel Adesanya’s Beef With Jon Jones: ‘He’s Trying To Make Money’

Mike Winklejohn believes Israel Adesanya is simply trying to make money by building up a future fight with UFC…

Read More Mike Winkeljohn On Israel Adesanya’s Beef With Jon Jones: ‘He’s Trying To Make Money’Continue

Robert Whittaker
UFC News

Robert Whittaker Feels ‘On Top Of The World’ Ahead Of UFC 243

UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker feels the fittest and strongest he’s ever been ahead of his title unification fight…

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Adesanya Whittaker
UFC News

Israel Adesanya: Robert Whittaker Reminded Me Of A ‘Meth Head’ During Staredown

Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker stared down for the first time last week since their middleweight title unification fight…

Read More Israel Adesanya: Robert Whittaker Reminded Me Of A ‘Meth Head’ During StaredownContinue

Jones Adesanya
UFC News

Israel Adesanya Predicts Raiders Stadium Fight With Jon Jones: ‘Mark My Words’

Israel Adesanya foresees a future fight with UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones happening. And he believes it will…

Read More Israel Adesanya Predicts Raiders Stadium Fight With Jon Jones: ‘Mark My Words’Continue

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