Israel Adesanya enters UFC Hall of Fame fight wing for Kelvin Gastelum bout in 2019
When the opportunity to clinch UFC gold first presented itself to Israel Adesanya, the Last Stylebender walked through the fire to have it wrapped around his waist.
That opportunity came at UFC 236 in Atlanta in 2019, where he and American Kelvin Gastelum contested the interim middleweight title as
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Adesanya and Gastelum fight inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
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.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Israel Adesanya enters UFC Hall of Fame fight wing for Kelvin Gastelum bout in 2019
When the opportunity to clinch UFC gold first presented itself to Israel Adesanya, the Last Stylebender walked through the fire to have it wrapped around his waist. That opportunity came at UFC 236 in Atlanta in 2019, where he and American Kelvin Gastelum contested the interim middleweight title as
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Fighting for place on and off court
Otago Nuggets. PHOTO: ODT FILES The Otago Nuggets are battling. And not all of those battles are on the court. Tonight's fixture against the Tauranga Whai is their last home game of the season. Let's hope it is not their last home game for a much longer period. The Nuggets have been on notice since their owner signalled its intention to pull out at the end of the National Basketball League campaign. Despite an optimistic press release from the NBL earlier this month hailing a new era of ownership for the Nuggets, their return next season is far from a done deal. The Otago Daily Times understands there is still a lot of work to be done to keep the playing licence in Dunedin. There are some very passionate people behind the bid, but there are no guarantees they will be able to pull it off. The Nuggets (2-15) face a huge challenge on the court as well. They were steamrolled by the Canterbury Rams in their last outing. The 113-59 loss was the heaviest loss in their history. It eclipsed the 47-point drubbing they suffered at the hands of the Southland Sharks in 2013. They are also 13 games into a losing streak. The club famously lost 33 in a row between 2008 and 2011. The 59 points they mustered against the Rams was among the most unproductive nights on offence in their history as well. The 54 they scored against Auckland in 2006 and the Nelson Giants in 2003 remains their lowest score. The Nuggets have really battled on defence this year. That improved when they cut import Jose Perez. But what they gained at one end, they lost at the other. He was good for 20 points most nights. Jonathan Janssen has stepped up on offence in the absence of Perez. Don Carey jun is capable of some big scoring nights but he has been inconsistent in the Nuggets singlet, while fellow American Jaylen Sebree has not made the impact the club would have expected. The Whai (7-10) are in a tense struggle to make the final six. They have dropped their past three games, which has not helped. The 103-77 loss to the Saints on Saturday was a painful experience, so they will be eager to bounce back. Dunedin-born Mojave King, son of Nuggets great Leonard King, shapes as a major scoring threat and the Whai also lean on Kruz Perrott-Hunt and Anzac Rissetto.
