Israel Adesanya News

Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker opens up on former feud with Israel Adesanya: "If I could've hit him with a car I would have"

Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has buried the hatchet with Israel Adesanya. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ famously have had two clashes for UFC gold. They first met in late 2019, in Robert Whittaker’s first title defense. Over a year after going to war with Yoel Romero for five rounds, the champion met interim champion, Israel Adesanya. In Whittaker’s absence, he scored a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum to claim interim gold.

Robert Whittaker, Israel Adesanya
Robert Whittaker

UFC legends Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya train together

Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025

UFC icons Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya trained together recently, for what seems to be the first time ever. As we know, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker are two of the greatest middleweights of all time. Some may view that as an overstatement, but it really isn’t. Whittaker is a former champion and has been able to run through many of the other top middleweights of his generation. Adesanya, meanwhile, is one of the best champions of his era, and is a two-time title holder at 185 pounds.

Caio Borralho Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Caio Borralho shares theory on why he isn't fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2024

Caio Borralho wanted to share the Octagon with Israel Adesanya in early 2025, but he thinks he knows why that will have to wait. Adesanya will be taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia. The bout will be taking place on February 1st. It’ll be Adesanya’s first fight off pay-per-view since 2018.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya plans to remind fans of his greatness in UFC Saudi Arabia return: "Y'all must've forgot"

Josh Evanoff - December 26, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to remind fans how good he is. ‘The Last Stylebender’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a grudge match against Dricus du Plessis in August. In the main event of UFC 305, the two middleweights went back and forth in the first three rounds. However, in round four, ‘Stillknocks’ rocked, and quickly submitted Israel Adesanya to retain middleweight gold.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Two huge fights announced for UFC Saudi Arabia

Harry Kettle - December 14, 2024

Two huge fights have been announced for UFC Saudi Arabia – including one involving former champion Israel Adesanya. For the UFC, 2025 is going to be a big year – as is the case for most years with the mixed martial arts leader. There are emerging contenders, interesting veterans and top champions littered throughout every division. In addition to a few blockbuster pay-per-view events to kickstart the year, they’ll also be returning to Saudi Arabia on February 1.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya looks back on traffic altercation with overzealous fight fan: 'You’re f*cking stupid'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 28, 2024

Israel Adesanya has reflected on an incident that saw one overzealous fan try to play tough guy. A September road rage incident was filmed and it showed “The Last Stylebender” in a heated confrontation with an unnamed man in Auckland. At one point, Adesanya even spat in the man’s direction, and it was clear the former UFC middleweight champion was ready to take the traffic altercation to another level.

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya opens up on future UFC retirement: "I don't want to be fighting at 40"

Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has opened up on his retirement plans. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is in a bit of a weird spot at the moment. Israel Adesanya was last seen in the cage at UFC 305 in August, facing middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The bout was the former champion’s first, since suffering a shocking decision loss to Sean Strickland last August. In Adesanya’s absence, ‘Stillknocks’ won the gold.

Jon Jones

Israel Adesanya defends Jon Jones following UFC 309 knockout win: "He's given enough"

Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has praised Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 309 over the weekend in New York City. Back for the first time since submitting Ciryl Gane last March, Jon Jones faced Stipe Miocic. For his part, the 42-year-old former heavyweight champion hadn’t been seen in the cage since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021.

Israel Adesanya, Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones

Israel Adesanya predicts Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic ends 'In two rounds'

Curtis Calhoun - November 13, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya doesn’t believe the heavyweight main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic on Saturday will last long. Jones will make his long-awaited first heavyweight title defense against Miocic at UFC 309. It’s his second heavyweight appearance after winning the then-vacant belt over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last year.

Israel Adesanya
Sharabutdin Magomedov

Israel Adesanya responds to UFC 308 callout from Shara Magomedov: “Keep my name out your f**king mouth”

Harry Kettle - October 28, 2024

UFC star Israel Adesanya has responded to being called out by Shara Magomedov at UFC 308 this past weekend. As we know, Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts. Some have disputed that this is still the case after two straight losses, but ‘Stylebender’ is still an incredibly popular figure within the sport. Now, it’s just a case of building himself back up at middleweight in an attempt to regain the throne.

Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya predicts Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308

Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t expecting Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev to go the full distance at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev battle in a potential No. 1 contender fight at UFC 308 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event is one of the most anticipated co-headliners in recent memory based on the decorated runs of both stars.

Caio Borralho, Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya

Caio Borralho says Israel Adesanya fight is in the works for UFC 312 in Sydney, wants five rounds

Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024

Surging UFC middleweight Caio Borralho is allegedly close to getting a potential No. 1 contender fight against Israel Adesanya in the former champ’s friendly territory. Borralho, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, has soared up the middleweight rankings over the last year. He most recently defeated Jared Cannonier in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate in August.

Joe Rogan, Israel Adesanya, UFC, UFC 271
Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan, Israel Adesanya applaud ONE Championship’s striking arts 

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 11, 2024

Joe Rogan and Israel Adesanya voiced their admiration for ONE Championship’s efforts to shine the spotlight on Muay Thai and kickboxing.   On a recent episode of Rogan’s popular podcast, the two discussed ONE’s bold move to expand its offerings beyond MMA. They highlighted its success in elevating striking-based martial arts to a global audience. 

Khalil Rountree
Khalil Rountree

Israel Adesanya gives Khalil Rountree props following UFC 307 effort against Alex Pereira

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 11, 2024

Israel Adesanya believes Khalil Rountree did himself plenty of favors despite a loss. Rountree challenged Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship on October 5th. “The War Horse” was finished in the fourth round, but he was certainly competitive against arguably the top pound-for-pound fighter today.

Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree Jr.
Israel Adesanya

WATCH | Israel Adesanya’s live reaction to Alex Pereira finishing Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307

Curtis Calhoun - October 7, 2024

UFC stars Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have a complicated history, but that didn’t stop Adesanya from being a supporter last weekend. On Saturday, Pereira successfully defended the UFC light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307. In front of a raucous crowd in Salt Lake City, Pereira put on another signature performance and battered Rountree en route to a late TKO victory.

Kevin Holland and Israel Adesanya
Kevin Holland

Kevin Holland takes aim at Israel Adesanya: "Just some guy who can’t stop running backwards and getting clipped"

Cole Shelton - October 4, 2024

Kevin Holland has taken aim at Israel Adesanya. Holland is set to return to the middleweight division when he takes on Roman Dolidze at UFC 307. Should Holland win, he could be in line for a big fight at 185lbs next time out. One potential opponent could be Israel Adesanya, however, ‘Trailblazer’ doesn’t have much interest in that fight.

Sean Strickland and Israel Adesanya
Sean Strickland

Israel Adesanya wants Sean Strickland rematch to prove he's better than him: "I can take this guy"

Cole Shelton - October 3, 2024

Israel Adesanya is hoping to get a rematch with Sean Strickland. Adesanya fought Strickland in September of 2023 as he put his middleweight title up for grabs. Adesanya entered the bout as a sizable betting favorite but Strickland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history as he dominated ‘The Last Stylebender’ for five rounds to win a decision.

Israel Adesanya, Alex Pereira
Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya shares his prediction for Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307

Harry Kettle - October 3, 2024

UFC star Israel Adesanya has given his prediction for the upcoming collision between Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree Jr. This weekend, Alex Pereira returns to the Octagon once again. The UFC light heavyweight champion, who is now one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts, will defend his crown against Khalil Rountree Jr.