Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya is a Nigerian-born professional mixed martial artist, former kickboxer, and boxer, prominently known for his tenure as the UFC Middleweight Champion. Competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Adesanya has established a significant record with notable victories, employing a fighting style characterized by striking accuracy and defensive prowess. His achievements include multiple Fight of the Night honors and recognition as Fighter of the Year by various MMA publications.
In the UFC, Adesanya’s fight record is distinguished by victories over several high-profile opponents. He defeated Anderson Silva, a former middleweight champion, in 2019, and secured a unanimous decision win against Kelvin Gastelum in a bout that was awarded Fight of the Year. His title defenses include successful bouts against Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori.
Adesanya’s professional development has been influenced by collaborations with notable figures in the combat sports world. His head coach, Eugene Bareman, at City Kickboxing, has played a pivotal role in refining Adesanya’s striking techniques and fight strategy. Boxing coach Doug Viney has contributed to enhancing his boxing prowess. Training alongside UFC fighters such as Dan Hooker and Alexander Volkanovski has provided Adesanya with a competitive and supportive training environment, facilitating his growth and success in MMA.