Israel Adesanya News

Jon Jones, Israel Adesanya, Daniel Cormier
Jon Jones

Israel Adesanya fires back at "jealous" Jon Jones

Christopher Taylor - October 7, 2019

Israel Adesanya has responded to fellow UFC champion Jon Jones, this after ‘Bones’ claimed ‘Stylebender’ was lacking the confidence to fight him. Adesanya (18-0 MMA) defeated Robert Whittaker via second round TKO in the headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 243 event in Australia to become the promotions undisputed middleweight world champion.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, Stephen Thompson
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya vs. Paulo Costa targeted for March PPV in Las Vegas

Cole Shelton - October 7, 2019

Israel Adesanya will have his first title defense against Paulo Costa this March in Las Vegas.  Sources told BJPENN.com the two camps are in preliminary talks and a date has been agreed upon. The UFC flew Paulo Costa out to Australia to watch the fight between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, where following the fight they started negotiations. 

Kelvin-Gastelum-Israel-Adesanya
Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum sends warm message to new champ Israel Adesanya

Thomas Taylor - October 7, 2019

Earlier this year, Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya collided with the UFC interim middleweight title on the line. After five, razor-close rounds, Adesanya was named the winner and adorned with a UFC belt. Over the weekend, Adesanya became the undisputed middleweight champion with a second-round stoppage of Robert Whittaker. Gastelum, on the other hand, is gearing up for a UFC 244 scrap with Darren Till.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Opinion: The UFC should let fighters get creative with their walkouts more often

Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019

Israel Adesanya did something not many UFC fighters have done at UFC 243 — and I’m not talking about beating Robert Whittaker, as impressive as that was. Instead, I’m referring to his walk to the cage which, in an absurdly rare twist, actually featured a degree of flavor and originality. For whatever reason, the fun-killers in UFC boardroom have historically shown a complete reluctance to let fighters make their walkouts even remotely interesting. Sure, there was the time Conor McGregor and Chad Mendes walked out to live performances from Sinead O’Connor and Aaron Lewis respectively. Former UFC fighters James Te Huna and Tom Lawlor have also had a few fun walkouts. But as a general rule, a UFC fighter’s walkout is little more than a trip from Point A to Point B set to some music that, in some cases, wasn’t even that fighter’s choice.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 236, Yoel Romero
Jared Cannonier

Israel Adesanya impressed by Jared Cannonier: 'I like his style'

Adam Martin - October 7, 2019

New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya heaped praise upon surging contender Jared Cannonier, saying he has been impressed by Cannonier’s quick rise up the middleweight rankings. “The Last Stylebender” was asked by reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference what other middleweight contenders impress him, and Adesanya immediately singled out Cannonier as someone who expects to defend his belt against in the near future.

Robert Whittaker Israel Adesanya, UFC 243
Robert Whittaker

Israel Adesanya expects Robert Whittaker rematch: 'I'll see you again'

Adam Martin - October 7, 2019

New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes he will eventually see former champ Robert Whitaker in the Octagon again one day. Despite knocking Whittaker out in devastating fashion in the second round of their UFC 243 main event fight, Adesanya doesn’t believe it will be the last time he meets Whittaker in the cage. “The Last Stylebender” spoke to reporters at the UFC 243 post-fight press conference and said that he expects to eventually have a rematch with “The Reaper.”

Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, UFC 236, ben askren
Israel Adesanya

Ben Askren on Israel Adesanya: 'Some of you are missing the boat'

Tom Taylor - October 7, 2019

Israel Adesanya put forth a star-making performance in the UFC 243 main event, first dazzling fans with an incredibly unique walkout (at least by UFC standards), then by delivering an impressive defeat of Robert Whittaker to capture the UFC middleweight belt. It’s truly difficult to imagine things going much better for Nigerian-born Kiwi, and all signs point to his achieving the kind of mainstream stardom we’ve only seem from a few fighters previously. UFC welterweight Ben Askren certainly seems to think that will be the case.

Jon-Jones-Israel-Adesanya
Jon Jones

Jon Jones reacts to Israel Adesanya defeating Robert Whittaker

Chris Taylor - October 6, 2019

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was watching last night’s UFC 243 main event between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker with keen interest. After all, ‘Bones’ and ‘Stylebender’ had been going back and forth on social media and interviews for months in the lead up to tonight’s event.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Playing matchmaker for UFC 243: Who's next for Israel Adesanya?

Adam Martin - October 6, 2019

Over 57,000 fans got to see a great night of fights at UFC 243, and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s next for the winners. Who’s next for new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya? We answer that question and others as we play matchmaker for UFC 243. Israel Adesanya vs. Jon Jones

Jon-Jones-Israel-Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Daniel Cormier shares his thoughts on potential Israel Adesanya vs Jon Jones fight

Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019

Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier shared his thoughts on a potential superfight between Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones. DC Spoke on the ESPN post-fight show about a potential Adesanya vs. Jones matchup and how he sees that fight playing out. He believes Adesanya can give Jones problems, but ultimately he believes he will be at a size disadvantage.

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker
UFC

Israel Adesanya puts EA Sports on blast: 'They made me look like Chad Mendes' in the UFC video game

Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019

New UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya says he doesn’t play the official UFC video game because he thinks he looks too much like Chad Mendes in it. Adesanya has often compared his fighting style to playing in a video game. Well, it seems like “The Last Stylebender” is not a fan of the UFC’s official game, and he criticized its developers following UFC 243.

Paulo Costa
Paulo Costa

Paulo Costa tells Israel Adesanya he shouldn't have given him the middle finger: 'See you soon'

Adam D Martin - October 6, 2019

UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa was not happy that new UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya flipped him the bird following his knockout win over Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. “The Last Stylebender” scaled the Octagon, looked right at Costa in the audience, and stuck his middle fingers up at him. Costa was not amused by Adesanya’s actions.

Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan praises Israel Adesanya for performance at UFC 243

Chris Taylor - October 6, 2019

UFC commentator Joe Rogan was absolutely blown away by Israel Adesanya’s performance at tonight’s UFC 243 event in Melbourne. Israel Adesanya (18-0 MMA) took on Robert Whittaker (21-5 MMA) for the promotions undisputed middleweight title in this evenings UFC 243 headliner.

Dana White, UFC, Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov
Israel Adesanya

Dana White reacts to UFC 243 main event between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker

Natasha Hooper - October 5, 2019

The interim champ, Israel Adesanya collided with the middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 243. The much-anticipated bout was expected to break the UFC’s all-time attendance record and saw the Kiwi athletes fight for undisputed middleweight gold. The rising UFC prospect, Adesanya entered the Octagon on an undefeated 17-0 record. His official UFC debut was only a year and a half ago, but ‘The Last Stylebender’ had already fought 6 bouts. His MMA accomplishments include 13 TKO finishes, a $150,000 UFC fight-night bonus award and the 2019’s MMA award for breakthrough fighter of the year. The kickboxer’s short but rapid growth in the UFC was a result of his winning tally against stars such as Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum. His flamboyant yet streamlined striking style has captured the attention of fans. Along with his magnetic aura, Adesanya has been compared to the likes of Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. However, his UFC 243 title bout against Robert Whittaker presented a new level of competition.

Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker

Pros react to Israel Adesanya defeating Robert Whittaker at UFC 243

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya headlined tonight’s UFC 243 pay-per-view event in Melbourne, Australia. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.

Israel Adesanya, UFC 236, Yoel Romero
Robert Whittaker

UFC 243 Results: Israel Adesanya KO's Robert Whittaker (Video)

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

A middleweight title unification bout between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya headlines tonight’s UFC 243 pay-per-view event in Melbourne, Australia. Israel Adesanya (17-0 MMA) was last seen in action at April’s UFC 236 event where he scored a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum to capture the promotions interim middleweight title.

Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa, Stephen Thompson
Paulo Costa

UFC 243 | Paulo Costa takes one final shot at Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

Paulo Costa will be watching tonight’s UFC 243 middleweight title unification bout between Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker with great interest. The undefeated Brazilian, Costa (13-0 MMA), is expected to be the next man to challenge for the promotions coveted middleweight title.

Conor McGregor, Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Conor McGregor sends Israel Adesanya a message prior to UFC 243

Chris Taylor - October 5, 2019

Former two division champion Conor McGregor has sent Israel Adesanya a message prior to his title unification bout with Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. The UFC’s current interim middleweight champ, Adesanya, will square off with reigning division kingpin Robert Whittaker in tonight’s highly anticipated UFC 243 main event.