Learn more about Israel Adesanya's UFC history, fighter facts, and Q&A below.
Fighter Facts
- MMA pro since 2012
- 15 of 21 wins by KO, six in the first round
- Stopped UFC vets Song Kenan (2015) and Melvin Guillard (2017)
- Had reported 75-4 (29 KOs) pro kickboxing record
- Had 5-1 (1 KO) pro boxing record
- Origin of nickname – “Coined from the TV show Avatar.”
UFC History
UFC 263 (6/12/21) Adesanya won a five round unanimous decision over Marvin Vettori to retain his UFC middleweight title
UFC 259 (3/6/21) Adesanya lost a five round unanimous decision to Jan Blachowicz in a fight for the UFC light heavyweight title
UFC 253 (9/27/20) Adesanya stopped Paulo Costa via strikes at 3:59 of the second round to retain his UFC middleweight title
UFC 248 (3/7/20) Adesanya won a five round unanimous decision over Yoel Romero to retain his UFC middleweight title
UFC 243 (10/6/19) Adesanya knocked out Robert Whittaker at 3:33 of the second round to unify the UFC middleweight title and become undisputed champion
UFC 236 (4/13/19) Adesanya won a five round unanimous decision over Kelvin Gastelum to win the interim UFC middleweight title
UFC 234 (2/10/19) Adesanya won a three round unanimous decision over Anderson Silva
UFC 230 (11/3/18) Adesanya stopped Derek Brunson via strikes at 4:51 of the first round
TUF 27 Finale (7/6/18) Adesanya won a five round unanimous decision over Brad Tavares
UFC on FOX (4/14/18) Adesanya won a three round split decision over Marvin Vettori
UFC 221 (2/11/18) Adesanya stopped Rob Wilkinson via strikes at 3:37 of the second round
Q&A
When and why did you start training for fighting? In 2008, because I needed skills to protect myself.
What ranks and titles have you held? UFC middleweight champion, AFC world champ and Hex FC world champion.
Do you have any heroes? Avatar Aang and Naruto Uzumaki, the 7th Hokage of the hidden leaf village. Ethiopian political leader Robel Hailu.
What does it mean for you to fight in the UFC? It's one goal ticked off, but it's only the beginning.
Did you go to college and if so what degree did you earn? Studied computer graphic design for three years, dropped out to pursue this life.
What was your job before you started fighting? Metering and billing coordinator for a gas line company (hated it).
Ranks in any martial arts styles: BJJ purple belt under Professor Andre Galvao.
Favorite grappling technique: I like choking people and whispering sweet nothings in their ear as they fall asleep.
Favorite Striking technique: Spinning s**t
