Israel Adesanya, a former professional boxer from Nigeria usually known as “The Last Stylebender” is currently one of the top Mixed Martial Artists. He is one of the top MMA fighters right now. Israel is entertaining the whole world with his outstanding performance and skills inside the ring.
Introduction
Israel Adesanya is a Nigeria-born and New Zealand-based professional MMA fighter who is born on July 19, 1989. He is the eldest son among 5 children of his accountant father Oluwafemi and nurse mother Taiwo. He attended Taekwondo classes until his mother removed him due to an injury. Israel moved to Ghana with his family in 1999 but after 10 months he moved to New Zealand for higher studies.
Adesanya’s performance in MMA has placed him in a position that is reserved only for the best fighters. He is one of the most growing Nigerian fighters in MMA. His aggressive fighting move and confidence to face the opponents is astonishing that pulled him to the top. His personality is very intimidating and his record is very stunning which makes the opponent’s feet get cold.
Israel Career
Israel started to train for kickboxing at the age of 18 inspired by the movie named Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior. At the age of 21, he moved to New Zealand and joined the City Kickboxing team of Oakland.
Professional Kickboxing Career
In May 2010, Israel debuted for professional kickboxing by winning against Tim Antonio with a unanimous decision and started his 7 win streak. His next 6 fight was against Wu Len Fing of China. His winning streak earned him a place in the limelight of professional kickboxing. Adesanya was two time champion of the Cruiserweights II tournament of the regional circuit in New Zealand. He then moved to the Heavyweight championship III and won the championship against Jamie Eades by a unanimous decision.
Israel’s stats at Glory Middleweight Championship is not so noticeable. He participated in 3 championships but lost all of them. His last fight of professional kickboxing was against Alex Pereira at Glory Heroes 7 who won the fight by knockout, after dropping Adesanya with a short left hook in the third round. Before retirement, he set a record of 75-5 in kickboxing.
Israel’s MMA and UFC Career
Adesanya made his MMA debut in 2012, with a TKO win against James Griffiths. After taking a 2-year break from MMA He came back and started an 8-0 winning streak and during the run, he won the AFC championship in Australia.
In December 2017, he signed with UFC and made his debut in 2018 against Rob Wilkinson at UFC 221. He won the fight by TKO. It was the “Performance of the Night” of UFC 221. Israel then fight with Martin Vettori and Brad Tavares and won both the fight with a unanimous decision. He knocked out Derek Brunson and earned the “Performance of the Night” award again.
Israel fought Robert Whitteker at the UFC 243 for the UFC Middleweight Championship. “The Last Stylebender” knocked out Whitteker and won the Middleweight Championship and become an undisputed Champion.
Read More: UFC 271: Israel vs Whittaker 2 Fight Date, Live Stream, Prediction
The Last Stylebender’s only defeat at MMA is against Jan Blachowicz at UFC light-Heavyweight Championship. He then returned to Middleweight and fight against Vettori to defend his Middleweight title. He won the match and extend his title defense to 3 streak defense. His current MMA stats are 21-1. Out of 21 wins, he defeated the opponent by KnockOut 15 times. These stats prove that Israel Adsenaya is not an average fighter.
Personal Profile
- Full Name: Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya
- Nickname: The Last Stylebender
- Date of Birth: July 22, 1989 (age 32 years)
- Place of Birth: Lagos, Nigeria
- Nationality: Nigerian, New Zealander
- Weight: 91 kg (201 lb; 14 st 5 lb)
- Height: 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
- Reach: 80 in (203 cm)
- Division: Middleweight (2012–present); Light Heavyweight (2021)
- Education: Chrisland School, The Bells Secondary School, Rotorua High School, Universal College of Learning in Whanganui
- Father: Oluwafemi Adesanya
- Mother: Taiwo Adesanya
- Siblings: Deborah Adesanya, Samuel Adesanya, David Adesanya, Bolu Adesanya
- Marital Status: Single
- Team: City Kickboxing (2010–present)
- Sport: Professional Kickboxing, Mixed Martial Arts
- Active: 2009–present
- Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Israel Adesanya Net Worth
As of 2021, Israel Adesanya’s net worth stands at $2 Million(estimated)
