Israel Adesanya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Israel Adesanya |
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Adesanya at UFC 230 in 2018
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| Born | Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya 22 July 1989 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Nickname(s) | The Last Stylebender |
| Residence | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | Nigerian New Zealander |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| Division | Middleweight (2012–present) Light Heavyweight (2021) |
| Reach | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Style | Kickboxing |
| Fighting out of | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Team | City Kickboxing (2010–present) |
| Trainer | Eugene Bareman: Head coach Andrei Păuleț: Wrestling |
| Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Professional boxing record | |
| Total | 6 |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 80 |
| Wins | 75 |
| By knockout | 27 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 29 |
| Wins | 24 |
| By knockout | 16 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 2 |
Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a professional fighter from Nigeria and New Zealand. He is known for his skills in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, and professional boxing. In mixed martial arts, he competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has been a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. In kickboxing, he once challenged for the Glory Middleweight Championship. As of February 2025, he is ranked #4 in the UFC middleweight division.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Israel Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on July 22, 1989. He is the oldest of five children. His father, Oluwafemi, worked as an accountant, and his mother, Taiwo, was a nurse. His family belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group. When he was young, Israel went to Chrisland School in Opebi. He even joined a Taekwondo club there, but his mother made him stop after he got an injury.
In 1999, his family moved to Ghana for 10 months. Then, when Israel was 10, they moved to Rotorua, New Zealand. His parents wanted their children to get a good education. During high school at Rotorua Boys' High School, Israel wasn't very interested in sports. He loved Japanese anime shows like Death Note and the Naruto manga series. Israel was bullied in high school. He says this experience later made him want to learn martial arts. One of his first inspirations was watching the British boxer Prince Naseem Hamed. Israel remembered being amazed by Hamed's ring entrance and flips.
After high school, Israel studied Computer Design at the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui. When he was 18, he started training in kickboxing. He was inspired by the Muay Thai movie Ong-Bak. Two years later, he decided to stop his studies to become a professional kickboxer. He had a great amateur record of 32 wins and only 1 loss before turning professional and fighting in China. At 21, Israel moved to Auckland, New Zealand. He began training in mixed martial arts at City Kickboxing with coach Eugene Bareman. Other future UFC fighters like Dan Hooker and Alexander Volkanovski also trained there. He also trains in wrestling with Andrei Păuleț.
Kickboxing Career
Starting Out in Kickboxing
Early in his career, Israel had a long winning streak in New Zealand and Australia. He also fought many times in China with the Wu Lin Feng promotion. His success earned him a spot in the 2014 Kunlun Fight tournament. He lost in the semifinal by a close decision.
Israel then made his debut in the Glory kickboxing league at Glory 15: Istanbul. He lost to Filip Verlinden. Two years later, they had a rematch at Glory of Heroes 3, and Israel won that fight.
He also competed in the King in the Ring tournaments in New Zealand. He won the Cruiserweights II tournament in 2014 by knocking out Jamie Eades in the final. Six months later, he won the Cruiserweights III tournament for the second time. He knocked out Pati Afoa in the first round of the final.
Israel then moved up in weight to compete in The Heavyweights III tournament in 2015. He won this tournament too, beating Jamie Eades in the final by unanimous decision.
Glory Middleweight Title Fights
Israel won five of his next six fights, including wins over Yousri Belgaroui and Bogdan Stoica. His only loss during this time was to GLORY Middleweight champion Alex Pereira.
In 2016, Israel won the Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament. He beat Robert Thomas and then Yousri Belgaroui in the final. This win earned him a chance to fight Jason Wilnis for the Glory Middleweight championship at Glory 37: Los Angeles. Wilnis won the fight, but many people thought the decision was unfair.
His last kickboxing fight was a rematch with Alex Pereira at Glory of Heroes 7. Pereira won by knockout in the third round. After this, Israel focused on mixed martial arts.
Mixed Martial Arts Career
Early MMA Fights
Israel Adesanya started his professional mixed martial arts career in 2012. He won his first fight by TKO. After another TKO win, he took a break from MMA for two years. He returned in August 2015 and continued his winning streak. He built an 8–0 record, fighting mostly in Australia, New Zealand, and China. During this time, he won the AFC Middleweight Championship and the Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship.
Joining the UFC
In December 2017, Israel signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He made his UFC debut on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221 against Rob Wilkinson. He won by TKO in the second round, earning a Performance of the Night award.
His next fight was on April 14, 2018, against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29. Israel won by a close split decision. Most experts agreed he deserved the win.
On July 6, 2018, Israel faced Brad Tavares at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. Israel dominated the fight and won by unanimous decision. This earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Israel then fought Derek Brunson on November 3, 2018, at UFC 230. He won quickly by TKO in the first round, earning his third Performance of the Night award.
On February 10, 2019, Israel fought former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in the main event of UFC 234. Israel won by unanimous decision. This exciting fight earned both fighters the Fight of the Night award.
Becoming UFC Middleweight Champion
Israel faced Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship on April 13, 2019, at UFC 236. It was a very close and exciting fight, but Israel won by unanimous decision. This fight was considered one of the best fights of the year and earned him another Fight of the Night award.
On October 6, 2019, Israel fought Robert Whittaker to become the undisputed UFC Middleweight Champion at UFC 243. Israel won the fight by knockout in the second round. This victory earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award. His win, along with Kamaru Usman becoming a UFC champion, was recognized as a memorable moment in Nigerian sports history.
Israel defended his title for the first time against Yoel Romero on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248. He won by unanimous decision.
In his next title defense, Israel faced undefeated fighter Paulo Costa on September 27, 2020, at UFC 253. This was a rare event where two undefeated male fighters met for a title. Israel won by TKO in the second round, earning his fifth Performance of the Night award.
Israel then moved up a weight class to challenge Jan Błachowicz for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259. He lost the fight by unanimous decision, which was his first loss in mixed martial arts.
Israel returned to the middleweight division and had a rematch with Marvin Vettori for the UFC Middleweight Championship on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263. Israel controlled most of the fight and won by unanimous decision.
A rematch between Israel and Robert Whittaker for the UFC Middleweight Championship happened on February 12, 2022, at UFC 271. Israel won the rematch by unanimous decision.
Israel faced Jared Cannonier on July 2, 2022, at UFC 276. He won the fight by unanimous decision.
On November 12, 2022, Israel fought Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Pereira had beaten Israel twice in kickboxing. Israel lost the fight and his title by TKO in the fifth round. This was his first loss in the middleweight division.
A rematch for the UFC Middleweight Championship between Pereira and Adesanya took place on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. Israel won the fight and got his title back by knockout in the second round. This win earned him another Performance of the Night award.
Israel faced Sean Strickland on September 10, 2023, at UFC 293. Israel lost the championship in a big upset by unanimous decision.
On August 18, 2024, Israel fought Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship at UFC 305. He lost the fight by submission in the fourth round, which was his first submission loss.
After the Championship
In his first non-title fight in over five years, Israel faced Nassourdine Imavov on February 1, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov. He lost the fight by TKO in the second round.
Hall of Fame
In February 2025, it was announced that Israel Adesanya's fight with Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 in April 2019 will be added to the UFC Hall of Fame in the Fight Wing, as part of the Class of 2025.
Professional Boxing Career
Israel Adesanya also had a professional boxing career. He started in November 2014, entering the Super 8 Boxing Tournament. He lost his first fight in a controversial decision.
He re-entered the Super 8 tournament in May 2015. He won his first professional boxing match by knockout. He then won two more fights to become the Super 8 Cruiserweight champion.
He fought again in the 2015 Super 8 Cruiserweight tournament. He won his semifinal match and then defended his cruiserweight title by beating Lance Bryant in the final.
Personal Life
Israel Adesanya can speak several languages. He is fluent in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, and English.
Before he became a fighter, Israel often competed in dance competitions in New Zealand. He even showed off his dancing skills during his walkout at UFC 243.
Israel is a big fan of anime. He has said he would like to start his own anime production company after he stops fighting. His nickname, "The Last Stylebender," comes from the cartoon series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which was influenced by anime. Israel even has a tattoo of one of the show's characters, Toph Beifong, on his arm.
He also enjoys professional wrestling. He once stopped an interview when he saw famous wrestler Booker T and greeted him.
In September 2020, Israel became the first mixed martial arts athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with the sports brand Puma.
In June 2023, a documentary film called Stylebender was released. It focuses on Israel Adesanya's life and first showed at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Championships and Awards
Israel Adesanya has won many titles and awards throughout his career in different sports:
Boxing
- Super 8 Boxing Tournament
- Super 8 III Cruiserweight Champion
- Super 8 IV Cruiserweight Champion
Muay Thai
- World Muaythai Council
- 2014 WMC Oceania Cruiserweight Championship
- World Boxing Council Muay Thai
- 2014 WBC Muay Thai International Cruiserweight Championship
- World Kickboxing Federation
- 2011 WKBF Muay Thai New Zealand Cruiserweight Championship
Kickboxing
- King in the Ring
- 2014 King in the Ring 86 kg II Champion
- 2015 King in the Ring 86 kg III Champion
- 2015 King in the Ring 100 kgs II Champion
- Glory
- 2016 Glory Middleweight Contender Tournament Winner
- Combat Press
- 2017 Fight of the Year (vs. Alex Pereira)
Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Hall of Fame (Fight Wing, Class of 2025) for his fight vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236
- UFC Middleweight Championship (Two times)
- Five successful title defenses in his first reign
- The first two-time UFC Middleweight champion
- Interim UFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
- Performance of the Night (Six times)
- Fight of the Night (Two times)
- Tied for most knockdowns in UFC Middleweight division history (13)
- Second longest winning streak in UFC Middleweight division history (12)
- Australian Fighting Championship
- AFC Middleweight Champion (one time)
- Hex Fighting Series Middleweight
- Hex Fighting Series Middleweight Champion (one time)
- MMAJunkie.com
- 2018 Newcomer of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum)
- 2019 Male Fighter of the Year
- 2023 Knockout of the Year (vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 287)
- MMA Fighting
- 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum)
- 2019 Fighter of the Year
- 2023 Knockout of the Year (vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 287)
- CombatPress.com
- 2018 Breakout Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Male Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum)
- CagesidePress.com
- 2019 Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum)
- MMADNA.nl
- 2018 Rising Star of the Year
- The Body Lock
- 2019 Fighter of the Year
- World MMA Awards
- 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
- 2019 – July 2020 Charles 'Mask' Lewis Fighter of the Year
- 2019 – July 2020 International Fighter of the Year
- 2021 International Fighter of the Year
- MMAMania.com
- 2019 Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum)
- Halberg Awards
- 2019 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Mixed Martial Arts Most Valuable (2022)
- Best Box Office Draw (2022)
- Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year (2019, 2020)
- MMA Match of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum, 2019)
- LowKick MMA
- 2023 Knockout of the Year (vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 287)
- ESPN
- 2023 Knockout of the Year (vs. Alex Pereira at UFC 287)
- Bleacher Report
- 2019 Fighter of the Year
- 2019 Fight of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236)
Images for kids
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Adesanya at UFC 230 in 2018
See also
In Spanish: Israel Adesanya para niños
