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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.

Israel Adesanya catches flak for forced reaction to Alex Pereira's knockout at UFC 303
MMA News UFC News

Video – Israel Adesanya catches flak for forced reaction to Alex Pereira’s KO win at UFC 303

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya didn’t seem too impressed with Alex Pereira’s KO win over Jiri Prochazka at…

Read More Video – Israel Adesanya catches flak for forced reaction to Alex Pereira’s KO win at UFC 303Continue

Dricus du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya enters him into GOAT debate
UFC News MMA News

Dricus Du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya puts him in GOAT debate: ‘This is where I take over’

UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis thinks a win over Israel Adesanya will put him into the GOAT conversation…

Read More Dricus Du Plessis claims win over Israel Adesanya puts him in GOAT debate: ‘This is where I take over’Continue

Robert Whittaker ready for redemption against Du Plessis and Adesanya after brutal Aliskerov knockout
UFC News MMA News

Robert Whittaker ready for redemption against Du Plessis and Adesanya after brutal Aliskerov knockout

After making a statement against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker is ready for a bit of redemption….

Read More Robert Whittaker ready for redemption against Du Plessis and Adesanya after brutal Aliskerov knockoutContinue

Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker to 'beat the brakes' off Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker to ‘beat the brakes’ off Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia

Israel Adesanya expects to see Robert Whittaker “beat the brakes” off Ikram Aliskerov. Stepping into the main event spotlight…

Read More Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker to ‘beat the brakes’ off Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi ArabiaContinue

Israel Adesanya warns Dricus du Plessis with UFC 305 fight don't be afraid be terrified
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya warns Dricus du Plessis with UFC 305 title fight official: ‘Don’t be afraid. Be terrified’

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is officially slated to meet with incumbent divisional titleholder, Dricus du Plessis…

Read More Israel Adesanya warns Dricus du Plessis with UFC 305 title fight official: ‘Don’t be afraid. Be terrified’Continue

Israel Adesanya set to headline UFC 305 in title grudge fight with Dricus du Plessis in Australia
UFC News MMA News

Breaking – Dricus du Plessis officially set to fight Israel Adesanya in title grudge match at UFC 305 in Perth

Officially slated to headline UFC 305 in two months’ time, an undisputed middleweight title fight between the incumbent, Dricus…

Read More Breaking – Dricus du Plessis officially set to fight Israel Adesanya in title grudge match at UFC 305 in PerthContinue

Israel Adesanya confirms UFC 305 fight with Dricus Du Plessis after overnight leak
MMA News UFC News

Israel Adesanya confirms UFC 305 title fight with Dricus Du Plessis: ‘The sun will set and rise again’

Israel Adesanya seemingly confirmed he will be fighting at UFC 305 in Australia. After Alex Pereira was booked to…

Read More Israel Adesanya confirms UFC 305 title fight with Dricus Du Plessis: ‘The sun will set and rise again’Continue

Leak appears to show Israel Adesanya headlining UFC 305 card in Australia
UFC News MMA News

Photo – Leaked footage appears to show Israel Adesanya headlining UFC 305 fight card in Australia

UFC CEO Dana White seems to accidently release several names who will feature on the upcoming UFC 305 card…

Read More Photo – Leaked footage appears to show Israel Adesanya headlining UFC 305 fight card in AustraliaContinue

Israel Adesanya reflects on rivalry with Alex Pereira: 'I always knew I could beat him'
UFC News MMA News

Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya is not the same since he knocked him out: ‘He changed a little bit’

Undisputed light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira has claimed former two-time middleweight kingpin, Israel Adesanya has “changed a little bit”…

Read More Alex Pereira claims Israel Adesanya is not the same since he knocked him out: ‘He changed a little bit’Continue

Israel Adesanya isn't coming for titles in his UFC return—He's coming for heads: 'I don't need any more belts'
UFC News MMA News

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for titles in UFC return—he’s coming for heads: ‘I don’t need any more belts’

Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for belts—he’s coming for heads. After surrendering the middleweight world title for the second time…

Read More Israel Adesanya isn’t coming for titles in UFC return—he’s coming for heads: ‘I don’t need any more belts’Continue

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