Pros react to Israel Adesanya’s stoppage victory over Derek Brunson at UFC 230

A middleweight bout between perennial division contenders Israel Adesanya and Derek Brunson took place at tonight’s UFC 230 event in New York City.

Undefeated middleweight Israel Adesanya (14-0 MMA) returned to the octagon for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision victory over Brad Tavares in July.

Meanwhile, Derek Brunson entered tonight’s UFC 230 contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a first-round knockout loss to Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in his most recent outing at UFC on FOX 27.

Israel Adesanya was able to put on a striking clinic in tonight’s UFC 230 contest with Brunson, dropping Derek on four occasions within the opening five minutes. After the fourth knockdown took place, the referee mercifully stepped in and called an end to the contest.

https://twitter.com/kamrnn/status/1058908665464479746

Check out how the pros reacted to Israel Adesanya impressive UFC 230 victory over Derek Brunson below:

https://twitter.com/MeganA_mma/status/1058908606509256705

https://twitter.com/violentbobross/status/1058906462230102016

Ok now… the Style Bender is legit #UFC230 He needed a big win to show he was a title contender and I think that did it

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 4, 2018

Wow super impressive!!! This dude is a talent

— Eddie Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) November 4, 2018

https://twitter.com/Unclecreepymma/status/1058908699929034762

Bad news for @ufc middleweights @stylebender is getting better. While Brunson looked intimidated, Israel showed solid takedown defense. #ufc230

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 4, 2018

Wow!! @stylebender is so legit! Stuffed all those takedowns so easily!

— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) November 4, 2018

Official UFC 230 Results: Israel Adesanya def. Derek Brunson via TKO (strikes) at 4:50 of Round 1

Get the full Derek Brunson vs. Israel Adesanya fight recap below:

Round one begins and Israel Adesanya quickly takes the center of the octagon. Brunson circles along the outside of the cage. He shoots in for a takedown but Israel is able to defend the shot. Derek presses him against the cage and lands a knee. Brunson with some uppercuts to the body. He throws a left hook to the head of Israel Adesanya. Herb Dean steps in and breaks them up because Derek Brunson grabbed Israel’ shots. We restart and Adesanya lands a jab. Brunson shoots in for a takedown but it is not there. He pushes Israel back up against the cage and lands a left hand. He looks for a single leg takedown but it fails to get Adesanya to the canvas. Israel breaks free and lands a right hand. Brunson leaps in with a left hand that misses. Israel lands a nice kick to the body. Brunson rushes in and forces Adesanya against the cage. Israel breaks free and lands a left and then a right. He scores a follow up knee and Brunson is down. He gets back up but Israel lands another right that sends him crashing to the floor. Brunson gets back to his feet once again but Adesanya is all over him. He drops him again and the referee steps in and calls an end to this UFC 230 fight.