Israel Adesanya News
Israel Adesanya claims he's getting paid 'substantially more' than Robert Whittaker
Tom Taylor - October 1, 2019
The upcoming middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya is going to be big a one. The fight, scheduled for UFC 243 this Saturday in Australia, is being billed as the biggest fight in Oceanic history and is also generating massive attention in the Western Hemisphere. Adesanya is taking full credit for that fact.
UFC 243 | Robert Whittaker plans on exploiting Israel Adesanya's striking defense
Cole Shelton - September 30, 2019
Robert Whittaker sees a clear path to victory against Israel Adesanya and it is not by using his wrestling as some would expect. At UFC 243, the UFC middleweight champion will return to the Octagon for the first time since June of 2018. He will make his return against the interim champ in Adesanya. It is a highly anticipated fight between an Australian and a Kiwi in Adesanya, and it’s being billed as the biggest fight in Oceanic history.
Jared Cannonier breaks down UFC 243's Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya
Adam D Martin - September 29, 2019
Top middleweight contender Jared Cannonier was asked to give his thoughts on next weekend’s main event at UFC 243 between UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and interim champ Israel Adesanya, as he could potentially be next in line for the belt. With his knockout win over Jack Hermansson in the main event of UFC Copenhagen, Cannonier is closing in on a title shot. He’s likely still behind fellow contender Paulo Costa in the title pecking order, but that’s still a great spot for “The Killa Gorilla” to be in. After his TKO win over Hermansson, Cannonier was asked what he thinks about next week’s title fight, and he admitted he’ll be paying close attention to the matchup given he could potentially face the winner of it.
Israel Adesanya on Robert Whittaker: 'I’ll pick him apart quite easily'
Natasha Hooper - September 26, 2019
Israel Adesanya has already established himself as one of the best middleweights in the world. With a record of 17-0, he is confident that his winning strategy will allow him to “pick apart” Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. It’s been a big year for Adesanya. “The Last Stylebender” got tongues wagging in a riveting three-round performance against former UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva in February at UFC 234. His creative arsenal of striking attacks was enough to earn a unanimous decision victory. Most recently, Adesanya took on Kelvin Gastelum in a fight that exceeded expectation. Despite being a close match, the tides turned in Adesanya’s favour and he took home a decision win after five fun rounds.
Robert Whittaker makes prediction for title fight with Israel Adesanya
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2019
Robert Whittaker has a prediction for his bout with Israel Adesanya and it doesn’t involve the judges. Whittaker and Adesanya are set to collide on Oct. 5. “The Reaper” is the UFC middleweight title holder, while “The Last Stylebender” holds interim gold. They’ll do battle in a title unification bout. Their scrap will take place inside Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Chael Sonnen: Jon Jones 'absolutely will not be' the champion at 35 years old
Natasha Hooper - August 15, 2019
On the latest edition of his podcast, Chael Sonnen discussed Jon Jones’ career and the possibility of his being replaced by rising fighters like Israel Adesanya in the pound-for-pound debate. Jones beat Maurício “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 and broke the record for the youngest UFC champion. Throughout his subsequent unbeaten run, he has commonly been regarded as the Greatest of all Time.
VIDEO | Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya square off
Adam Martin - August 15, 2019
UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker and interim champ Israel Adesanya squared off Wednesday at the UFC 243 pre-fight press conference. As you can expect, it was a tense staredown between the world’s top two middleweights. Check out the video below.
Israel Adesanya on journey from MMA fan to UFC champion: 'It's crazy'
Adam Martin - August 14, 2019
Israel Adesanya has only been fighting in the UFC for a little over a year, but he’s quickly become a household name as well as the interim middleweight champion of the world. This quick rise up the rankings has even surprised Adesanya himself. In October, “Stylebender” meets UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia. Adesanya spoke to UFC.com about the fight against Whittaker and how quickly he’s become a star in the sport of mixed martial arts.
Kelvin Gastelum makes pick for Robert Whittaker vs. Israel Adesanya fight
Tom Taylor - July 30, 2019
The next UFC middleweight title fight on the calendar will go down at UFC 243 on October 6, when undisputed champion Robert Whittaker will attempt to defend his title against interim champion Israel Adesanya. Kelvin Gastelum, one of the top contenders in the division, will be watching this fight very closely. Speaking to South China Morning Post recently, Gastelum weighed in on this middleweight title fight. He has fought Adesanya previously, losing a decision to “Stylebender” in April, and has also been scheduled to fight Whittaker, though the bout unfortunately never happened. Needless to say, he’s got some unique insight into the matchup.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hasn't trained with Jon Jones yet
Cole Shelton - July 29, 2019
During Israel Adesanya’s and Jon Jones’ intense trash talk, “Bones” said he would help train Robert Whittaker for his fight against “The Last Stylebender”. Yet, with the fight in October at UFC 243, Whittaker and Jones have yet to train together. According to the middleweight champion, there is a simple reason why.
Michael Bisping: I can see Israel Adesanya giving Jon Jones problems
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2019
Michael Bisping believes Israel Adesanya could make things interesting in a bout with Jon Jones. Adesanya and Jones have been trading barbs ever since “The Last Stylebender” said he was “hunting” another GOAT after beating Anderson Silva. Adesanya is the interim UFC middleweight champion and he’s set for a title unification bout against Robert Whittaker on Oct. 5. Meanwhile, Jones is coming off the second successful title defense in his current reign as UFC light heavyweight champion.
Dana White intrigued by potential Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya matchup
Mike Heck - July 19, 2019
Add UFC president Dana White to the list of people who are intrigued by a future dream matchup between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Since April, a back-and-forth — through the media and online — between Jones and Adesanya has been ongoing. With all of the words spouted off by both champions, White was asked by TMZ Sports if he would be interested in the potential showdown. Of course, that’s if “The Last Stylebender” can get through his next test in October.
Israel Adesanya compares Robert Whittaker to a 'meth head'
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2019
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker don’t even know where their UFC 243 middleweight title fight will occur yet, but Adesanya is already letting the trash talk fly. Speaking at the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony over the weekend, the interim champion Adesanya shared his thoughts on his first staredown with the undisputed champ Whittaker.
Robert Whittaker says Israel Adesanya is 'arguing by himself'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2019
Robert Whittaker has no plans to be goaded into a verbal spat with Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Adesanya are set to collide in a middleweight title unification bout on Oct. 5. The championship tilt will serve as UFC 243’s main event. While the headliner and event have been announced, a location has not. While many had anticipated Melbourne, UFC president Dana White revealed during the summer press conference 2019 that nothing is a lock yet.
Marvin Vettori wants Israel Adesanya rematch, confident he 'will finish him'
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2019
Israel Adesanya is 17-0 as a pro mixed martial artist and 6-0 inside the UFC’s Octagon. While many of his UFC wins have looked quite effortless, others have come a little less easily, such as his second bout, which saw him defeat Marvin Vettori by split decision. At UFC on FOX 29, Adesanya fought Vettori and ended up winning, but it was close. One judge sided with the Italian, who is still the only person to win a judge’s favor against Adesanya in the UFC. Now, the 25-year-old wants the rematch against the interim champion and is confident he not only wins but finishes Adesanya.
Jon Jones responds to Israel Adesanya's criticism of UFC 239 Performance
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019
Jon Jones wasn’t going to stay quiet regarding Israel Adesanya’s latest verbal jabs for long. Jones vs. Adesanya is a dream matchup for many, but “Bones” has dismissed the idea in the past. The UFC light heavyweight champion has referred to Adesanya as being “frail” and has urged him to eat more jerk chicken. Adesanya has fired back by poking fun at Jones’ past troubles outside of the Octagon.
Michael Bisping says Robert Whittaker will make Israel Adesanya 'eat his words'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2019
Michael Bisping thinks Israel Adesanya is due for his comeuppance. UFC 243 will play host to a middleweight title unification bout. Champion Robert Whittaker will collide with interim title holder Adesanya on Oct. 5. A location for UFC 243 has not been announced.
VIDEO | Jorge Masvidal watches Israel Adesanya's live reaction to Askren KO, loves it
Tom Taylor - July 8, 2019
When Jorge Masvidal knocked Ben Askren unconcious with a flying knee in just five seconds at UFC 239, he left thousands of onlookers in shock. That includes UFC interim middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who was in the middle of an interview with TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter at the time. See how Adesanya reacted to this highlight reel knockout below: