Adesanya and Gastelum fight inducted into UFC Hall of Fame

RNZ News

a day ago

Israel Adesanya (right) fights Kelvin Gastelum
Photo:
Photosport
Israel Adesanya's middleweight war with Kelvin Gastelum has been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
The barnburner went down in 2019 at UFC 236 with the interim title on the line, Adesanya eventually prevailing by decision following a dominant final five minutes.
The Last Stylebender saw his star ascend to greater heights after muttering to himself, 'I'm prepared to die,' ahead of the fifth round of the brutal battle.
Named Fight of the Year in 2019, the middleweight classic has now been officially recognised as one of the best in the promotions history, inducted into the fight wing of the UFC's Hall of Fame.
Speaking at the ceremony in Las Vegas as part of UFC international Fight Week, which will see Adesanya's City Kick Boxing team-mate Kai Kara-France challenge for the flyweight strap, the Nigerian-born Kiwi said it was an honour.
"It's not really hit yet, but it feels good just to be acknowledged for that fight. It was one of the greatest fights in the UFC in combat sports and human history. I like the fact that I get to do with Kel because it takes two to tango."
Adesanya said the fight was 'movie type s***.'
"He just brought the best out of me. That was one of the most top three important moments in my life, not just in fighting, in my career, in my life, because it brought the best out of me as a man and I found the levels that you can find."
Though it's been a lean run of late for the former middleweight king, losing his past three fights in the UFC, Adesanya said the Gastelum fight will always define his career.
"It's never going to be something that anyone can take away from both of us. That's cemented forever. Legacy."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.