Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya (born 22 July 1989) is a Nigerian-born New Zealand based professional mixed martial artist. He has also competed in kickboxing and boxing.[3] As a mixed martial artist, he is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he is the UFC Middleweight Champion. In kickboxing, he is the former Glory middleweight contender winner and King in the Ring two-time cruiserweight and heavyweight champion. As of 24 May 2020, he is #4 in the UFC men's pound-for-pound rankings.[4]
Israel Adesanya | |
---|---|
Israel Adesanya at UFC 230 | |
Born | Israel Oluwafemi Adesanya 22 July 1989 Lagos, Nigeria |
Nickname(s) | The Last Stylebender |
Residence | Auckland, New Zealand |
Nationality | Nigerian New Zealander |
Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) |
Weight | 84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb) |
Division | Middleweight |
Reach | 80 in (203 cm)[1] |
Style | Kickboxing, Boxing |
Stance | Orthodox |
Fighting out of | Auckland, New Zealand |
Team | City Kickboxing |
Trainer | Eugene Bareman |
Rank | Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão[2] |
Years active | 2009–present |
Professional boxing record | |
Total | 6 |
Wins | 5 |
By knockout | 1 |
Losses | 1 |
By knockout | 0 |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 80 |
Wins | 75 |
By knockout | 29 |
Losses | 5 |
By knockout | 1 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 19 |
Wins | 19 |
By knockout | 14 |
By decision | 5 |
Losses | 0 |
Other information | |
Boxing record from BoxRec | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Background
Israel Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria to a family of five children.[5] His father, Femi, is an accountant and his mother, Taiwo, is a nurse.[6] Israel attended Chrisland School, Opebi, and enrolled in its Taekwondo after-school club until he was removed by his mother due to an injury.[5][7][8] In early 2001, he relocated to Ghana with his family for 10 months,[9] but due to his parents wanting their children to receive a well-recognised higher education,[10] he settled in Rotorua, New Zealand at age 10[11] and attended Rotorua Boys' High School.[12] Adesanya was not interested in sport during high school; instead he was interested in Japanese anime such as Death Note[13] and Naruto.[14] He was heavily bullied during his high school years[15] and attributes the mistreatment he experienced to his decision to pursue martial arts later in life.[16]
At the age of 18, Adesanya started training in kickboxing, after being inspired by the Muay Thai film Ong-Bak.[8] He went on to amass an amateur kickboxing record of 32–0 before moving to and fighting in China.[17][18] At the age of 21, Adesanya moved to Auckland, New Zealand, and began training under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing, with other established MMA fighters such as Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France and Alexander Volkanovski.[19][20][21]
Mixed martial arts career
Glory World Series
In March 2014, Adesanya became the first New Zealander to sign a deal with the Glory promotion company after he spent the past previous six months in China fighting full-time.[22] He lost a unanimous points decision in his debut fight to Belgian Filip Verlinden at Glory 15 in Istanbul, Turkey.[23] It was only his second loss of the then 24-year-old's career.[23]
King in the Ring
After picking up his thirty-third career win over Charles August, Adesanya announced he would compete in the King in the Ring last-man-standing tournament in Auckland, New Zealand.[24] Adesanya was scheduled to enter in the cruiserweight division at ASB Stadium the following week.[25] He won the event with wins over fellow countrymen Slava Alexeichik, Pati Afoa, and Jamie Eades.
Early career
Adesanya made his professional debut in 2012. Fighting in Hong Kong, Australia and China over the next five-and-a-half years, he amassed a record of 11–0, with all wins coming via KO/TKO, prior to being signed by the UFC.[26]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In December 2017, it was announced that Adesanya had signed with the UFC. He made his debut against Rob Wilkinson on 11 February 2018, at UFC 221.[27] He won the fight via TKO in the second round.[28] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.[29]
Adesanya's next fight was scheduled on 14 April 2018, against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29.[30] He won the fight via split decision.[31]
Adesanya faced Brad Tavares on 6 July 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.[32] Adesanya won the one-sided fight via unanimous decision.[33] This win earned him his second Performance of the Night award.[34]
Adesanya faced Derek Brunson on 3 November 2018, at UFC 230.[35] He won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[36] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award for a third time.[37]
Adesanya faced Anderson Silva on 10 February 2019, at UFC 234.[38] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[39] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[40]
UFC Middleweight Championship
Adesanya faced Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship on 13 April 2019, at UFC 236.[41] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[42] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[43] The fight was widely regarded as the best fight of the year, earning the nomination from most of the MMA news outlets.
Adesanya faced Robert Whittaker in a title unification bout on 6 October 2019 at UFC 243.[44] He won the fight via knockout in the second round to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion.[45] This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.[46]
Adesanya next faced Yoel Romero on 7 March 2020 UFC 248.[47] He won the fight via unanimous decision and defended the UFC middleweight championship successfully for the first time. Many fans and pundits felt disappointed due to the low activity by both fighters which resulted in a largely uneventful fight in which neither fighter was able to deliver any significant offense.[48][49]
Adesanya is scheduled to defend his title against Paulo Costa at UFC 253.[50]
Personal life
Before taking up fighting, Adesanya regularly competed in dance competions across New Zealand.[51] He highlighted his passion for dance in a choreographed walkout at UFC 243.[52][53]
Adesanya is a fan of anime and would like to start an anime production company after retiring from fighting.[54] His nickname "The Last Stylebender" is a reference to Avatar: The Last Airbender, an anime-influenced cartoon series.[55]
Adesanya has endorsed the 2020 New Zealand cannabis referendum.[56]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- UFC Middleweight Championship (One time, current)
- One successful title defense
- Interim UFC Middleweight Championship (One time)
- Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Rob Wilkinson, Brad Tavares, Derek Brunson and Robert Whittaker[29][34][37][57]
- Fight of the Night (Two times) vs. Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum[58][43]
- Most Knockdowns in a UFC Title Fight (4)[59]
- UFC Middleweight Championship (One time, current)
- 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[60]
- 2019 April Fight of the Month vs. Kelvin Gastelum[61]
- 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[62]
- 2019 Male Fighter of the Year[63]
- MMA Fighting
- 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[64]
- 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[65]
- 2019 Fighter of the Year[66]
- CombatPress.com
- 2018 Breakout Fighter of the Year[67]
- 2019 Male Fighter of the Year[68]
- 2019 Fight of the Yearvs. Kelvin Gastelum[69]
- CagesidePress.com
- 2019 Fighter of the Year[70]
- 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[71]
- MMADNA.nl
- 2018 Rising Star of the Year.[72]
- The Body Lock
- 2019 Fighter of the Year[73]
- World MMA Awards
- 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year[74]
- MMAMania.com
- 2019 Fighter of the Year[75]
- 2019 Fight of the Year vs. Kelvin Gastelum[76]
- Halberg Awards
- 2019 New Zealand Sportsman of the Year[77]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Most Outstanding Fighter of the Year (2019)
- MMA Match of the Year (vs. Kelvin Gastelum, 2019)
Kickboxing
Boxing
- Super 8 III (Cruiserweight II)
- Super 8 IV (Cruiserweight III)
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
19 matches | 19 wins | 0 losses |
By knockout | 14 | 0 |
By decision | 5 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 19–0 | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 248 | 7 March 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 18–0 | Robert Whittaker | KO (punches) | UFC 243 | 6 October 2019 | 2 | 3:33 | Melbourne, Australia | Won and unified the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
Win | 17–0 | Kelvin Gastelum | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 236 | 13 April 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Won the interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night. |
Win | 16–0 | Anderson Silva | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 234 | 10 February 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Melbourne, Australia | Fight of the Night. |
Win | 15–0 | Derek Brunson | TKO (knees and punches) | UFC 230 | 3 November 2018 | 1 | 4:51 | New York City, New York, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 14–0 | Brad Tavares | Decision (unanimous) | The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale | 6 July 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 13–0 | Marvin Vettori | Decision (split) | UFC on Fox: Poirier vs. Gaethje | 14 April 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | |
Win | 12–0 | Rob Wilkinson | TKO (punches) | UFC 221 | 11 February 2018 | 2 | 3:37 | Perth, Australia | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 11–0 | Stuart Dare | KO (head kick) | Hex Fighting Series 12 | 24 November 2017 | 1 | 4:53 | Melbourne, Australia | Won the vacant Hex Fight Series Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 10–0 | Melvin Guillard | TKO (punches) | Australia Fighting Championship 20 | 28 July 2017 | 1 | 4:49 | Melbourne, Australia | Won the AFC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 9–0 | Murad Kuramagomedov | TKO (punches) | Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 4 | 28 May 2016 | 2 | 1:05 | Henan, China | |
Win | 8–0 | Andrew Flores Smith | TKO (corner stoppage) | Glory of Heroes 2 | 7 May 2016 | 1 | 5:00 | Shenzhen, China | |
Win | 7–0 | Dibir Zagirov | TKO (punches) | Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 2 | 13 March 2016 | 2 | 2:23 | Henan, China | |
Win | 6–0 | Vladimir Katykhin | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Wu Lin Feng: E.P.I.C. 1 | 13 January 2016 | 2 | N/A | Henan, China | |
Win | 5–0 | Gele Qing | TKO (elbows) | Wu Lin Feng 2015: New Zealand vs. China | 19 September 2015 | 2 | 3:37 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
Win | 4–0 | Maui Tuigamala | TKO (body kick) | Fair Pay Fighting 1 | 5 September 2015 | 2 | 1:25 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
Win | 3–0 | Song Kenan | TKO (punches) | The Legend of Emei 3 | 8 August 2015 | 1 | 1:59 | Shahe, China | |
Win | 2–0 | John Vake | TKO (punches) | Shuriken MMA: Best of the Best | 15 June 2013 | 1 | 4:43 | Auckland, New Zealand | |
Win | 1–0 | James Griffiths | TKO (punches) | Supremacy Fighting Championship 9 | 24 March 2012 | 1 | 2:09 | Auckland, New Zealand | Middleweight debut. |
Kickboxing record (incomplete)
Kickboxing record (incomplete) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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75 wins, 5 losses, 0 draws
Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes |
Boxing career
Prize-fighting tournaments
Adesanya began his professional boxing career in November 2014 against two-time Australian champion Daniel Ammann.[84] He was granted one of two wildcards to enter the inaugural cruiserweight Super 8 Boxing Tournament.[85] The event was headlined by Shane Cameron and Kali Meehan at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland, New Zealand.[86] He suffered a controversial loss via unanimous decision after he looked to have outpointed Ammann in the quarter-finals.[87]
Adesanya re-entered the Super 8 tournament in May 2015, held at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch. It was the second cruiserweight series with the winner receiving $25,000 NZD and a new car.[88] He won his first professional fight against fellow New Zealander Asher Derbyshire in the first seed. Adesanya knocked his opponent out in the second round.
Professional boxing record
6 fights | 5 wins | 1 loss |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
By decision | 4 | 1 |
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 | Win | 5–1 | UD | 3 | 3 November 2015 | |||
5 | Win | 4–1 | UD | 3 | 3 November 2015 | |||
4 | Win | 3–1 | SD | 4 | 28 March 2015 | |||
3 | Win | 2–1 | MD | 3 | 28 March 2015 | |||
2 | Win | 1–1 | KO | 2 (3) | 28 March 2015 | |||
1 | Loss | 0–1 | UD | 3 | 22 November 2014 |
References
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- "From bullied in high school to UFC champion: The untold journey of Kiwi MMA superstar Israel Adesanya". 1 News Now. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- "Israel 'The Last Style Bender' Adesanya : Glory Fighter". Glory Kickboxing. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
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- Malili, Faleatua (10 August 2018). "'I'm going to do great things' – Kiwi fighter Israel Adesanya's amazing journey from Whanganui to the UFC". 1 News Now. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asDaGqnU0Sk
- Bruce, Sam (12 December 2018). "Kara-France, Volkanovski are City Kickboxing's dynamic Vegas duo". ESPN. Retrieved 12 December 2018.
- "All guts and glory for champion fighter". New Zealand Herald. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
- "Adesanya loses Glory kickboxing debut". New Zealand Herald. 13 April 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
- "Adesanya happy to fight on home soil". New Zealand Herald. 29 August 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
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- Sherdog.com. "Israel". Sherdog. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
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- "UFC 221 results: Israel Adesanya takes out Rob Wilkinson with TKO in UFC debut". MMAjunkie. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- "UFC 221 bonuses: Much-hyped newcomer among night's $50,000 winners". MMAjunkie. 11 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
- "Top prospect Israel Adesanya returns against Marvin Vettori at UFC on FOX 29". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
- "UFC on FOX 29 results: Israel Adesanya stays unbeaten despite late charge from Marvin Vettori". MMAjunkie. 15 April 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
- Staff (30 April 2018). "Brad Tavares vs Israel Adesanya headlines The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale in July". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
- "TUF 27 Finale Results | Israel Adesanya defeats Brad Tavares (Highlights) | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 6 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- "TUF 27 Finale post-fight bonuses: Adesanya wins rare POTN bonus without a finish". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- Shaun Al-Shatti (3 August 2018). "Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya slated for UFC 230". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 6 August 2018.
- "UFC 230 Results: Israel Adesanya finishes Derek Brunson in Round 1 | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- "UFC 230 bonuses: Israel Adesanya cashes another $50,000 check". MMAjunkie. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
- "UFC 234 fight card: Former champ Anderson Silva returning to face Israel Adesanya in Australia". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- "UFC 234 results: Israel Adesanya stays unbeaten, outpoints game Anderson Silva". MMAjunkie. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "UFC 234 bonuses: Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva collect extra $50,000". MMAjunkie. 10 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- Brett Okamoto (19 February 2018). "Israel Adesanya named as replacement opponent for Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236". espn.com. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
- "UFC 236 results: Israel Adesanya tops Kelvin Gastelum in thrilling classic to claim interim title". MMA Junkie. 14 April 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
- MMA Junkie Staff (13 April 2019). "UFC 236 bonuses: No surprise with two $50,000 'Fight of Night' winners". MMAjunkie. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- Andrew Richardson (20 June 2019). "Midnight Mania! Whittaker Vs. Adesanya Is Set!". mmamania.com. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
- Doherty, Dan (6 October 2019). "UFC 243 Results: Israel Adesanya Knocks Out Robert Whittaker to Claim Throne". Cageside Press. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- Alexander Lee (6 October 2019). "UFC 243 bonuses: Israel Adesanya rewarded for championship-winning knockout". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- "Israel Adesanya defends middleweight title against Yoel Romero at UFC 248". MMA Junkie. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- "UFC 248 results: Israel Adesanya keeps title in bizarre win over Yoel Romero". MMA Junkie. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
- Henry McKenna (8 March 2020). "UFC 248: Dana White calls out 'terrible' fighter for unimpressive main event". ftw.com. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- "Sources: UFC sets Adesanya-Costa for Sept. 19". ESPN.com. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
- Harris, Scott (2 October 2019). "From Dancer to Fighter: How Israel Adesanya Battled His Way to UFC 243". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Lee, Alexander K. (6 October 2019). "Israel Adesanya talks elaborate UFC 243 entrance: 'If I could sing, trust me, Justin Bieber wouldn't even have a job'". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Hooper, Natasha (5 March 2020). "Israel Adesanya explains how dancing helped him become a fighter". bjpenn.com. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Bruce, Sam (10 April 2019). "How Israel Adesanya embraces Japanese anime in the UFC". ESPN. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Porter, Jack (7 March 2020). "How Anime Fuelled Israel Adesanya's Ambition, Ability And Style In The UFC". The Sportsman. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- Foote, Stephen (25 May 2020). "UFC: Israel Adesanya lends support to cannabis legalisation in New Zealand". Newshub. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- "UFC 243 bonuses: Israel Adesanya rewarded for championship-winning knockout". www.mmafighting.com. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- MMAjunkie.com. "UFC 234 bonuses: Israel Adesanya, Anderson Silva collect extra $50,000". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- MMAjunkie.com. "UFC 236 post-event facts: Israel Adesanya sets title-fight record for most knockdowns". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- Fernanda Prates (3 January 2019). "MMAjunkie's 2018 'Newcomer of the Year': The human highlight reel who promised and delivered". mmajunkie.com.
- "MMA Junkie's 'Fight of the Month' for April: Which UFC 236 title fight got the nod?". mmajunkie.com. 4 May 2019.
- Mike Bohn (4 January 2020). "MMA Junkie's 2019 'Fight of the Year': Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum". mmajunkie.com.
- John Morgan (8 January 2020). "MMA Junkie's 2019 'Male Fighter of the Year': Israel Adesanya continues mind-blowing run". mmajunkie.com.
- Jose Youngs (3 January 2019). "MMA Fighting's 2018 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Israel Adesanya". mmafighting.com.
- Steven Marrocco (1 January 2020). "MMA Fighting's 2019 Fight of the Year: Israel Adesanya vs. Kelvin Gastelum". mmafighting.com.
- Alexander K. Lee (3 January 2020). "MMA Fighting's 2019 Fighter of the Year: Israel Adesanya". mmafighting.com.
- Dan Kuhl (25 January 2019). "Adesanya is the 2018 Combat Press Breakout Fighter of the Year". CombatPress.com.
- Bryan Henderson (14 January 2020). "Adesanya is the 2019 Combat Press Fighter of the Year". CombatPress.com.
- Dan Kuhl (22 January 2020). "Adesanya-Gastelum is the 2019 Combat Press Fight of the Year". CombatPress.com.
- Staff (31 December 2019). "MMA 2019 Year in Review: Fighter of the Year". CagesidePress.com.
- Staff (31 December 2019). "MMA 2019 Year in Review: Fight of the Year". CagesidePress.com.
- DNA, MMA. "MMA DNA UFC Awards 2018 : De Uitslagen!!!". Retrieved 28 January 2019.
- Connelly, Shane (5 January 2020). "Israel Adesanya is The Body Lock's 2019 Fighter of the Year". The Body Lock. Retrieved 5 January 2020.
- Bryan Tucker (4 July 2019). "World MMA Awards 2019 Results". mmafighting.com.
- Patrick L. Stumberg (25 December 2019). "UFC/MMA 'Fighter of the Year' 2019 – Top 5 List". mmamania.com.
- Patrick L. Stumberg (25 December 2019). "UFC/MMA 'Fights of the Year' 2019 – Top 5 List". mmamania.com.
- Meshew, Jed (13 February 2020). "Morning Report: Israel Adesanya wins New Zealand Sportsman of the Year award, gives speech honoring combat sports legends". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- Sherdog.com. "Israel". Sherdog. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
- http://www.veoh.com/watch/v119377020mpB72ZEC
- GLORY Kickboxing (7 April 2017). "GLORY 37 Los Angeles: Jason Wilnis vs. Israel Adesanya (Middleweight Title Fight)". Retrieved 13 April 2019 – via YouTube.
- Torres, Luis (2 April 2016). "WLF Glory of Heroes 2016 Results". Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- "Filip Verlinden – İsrael Adesanya GLORY 15 İstanbul (Bilgehan Demir Anlatımı) – Dailymotion Video". Dailymotion. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- Phon Xieng (29 January 2015). "Simon Marcus vs Israel Adesanya". Retrieved 13 April 2019 – via YouTube.
- Josh Leeson (31 October 2014). "Doberman Daniel Ammann prepares for Super 8 Last Man Standing". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- Liam Napier (1 November 2014). "Israel Adesanya into Super8 bout on wildcard". Stuff. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- "Cameron gets thumbs up to fight". New Zealand Herald. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
- "SUPER 8: Kali Meehan vs Shane Cameron". VS LIVE. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- Jack Salter (28 March 2015). "Boxing: Fighters talk up their chances ahead of tournament". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
External links
- Profile at GLORY
- Israel Adesanya at UFC
- Professional MMA record for Israel Adesanya from Sherdog
- Boxing record for Israel Adesanya from BoxRec
Sporting positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mixed martial arts titles | ||||
Preceded by Robert Whittaker |
2nd UFC Middleweight Champion 10 October 2019 – Present |
Incumbent | ||
Kickboxing titles | ||||
Preceded by TY Williams |
2nd King in the Ring Cruiserweight Champion 30 August 2014 – 11 April 2015 Vacated |
Vacant | ||
Vacant | 3rd King in the Ring Cruiserweight Champion 11 April 2015 – 17 November 2017 Vacated |
Succeeded by Slava Alexeichik | ||
Preceded by Antz Nansen |
3rd King in the Ring Heavyweight Champion 31 October 2015 – 30 June 2017 Vacated |
Succeeded by Carlos Ulberg | ||
Awards | ||||
Preceded by Tom Walsh |
New Zealand's Sportsman of the Year 2019 |
Incumbent |