“Broken Native.” The words tattooed across the chest of UFC’s Israel Adesanya are not there for aesthetics. These words are the story that encapsulates the new interim middleweight champion. Born in Nigeria, moved to New Zealand, fighting in the Pacific circuit and China… Israel Adesanya was everywhere before making it big in the UFC, but with no recognition. Now Israel Adesanya is superstar, but he has done far but forget his roots.
When Adesanya moved to New Zealand, he was bullied for his race and heritage. The Kiwis in New Zealand are not used to Native Africans living amongst them, and racism is not handled the same in New Zealand as it is in the United States. Adesanya was an outcast, and he had to live as such. Adesanya took early interest in dancing, because he felt free and also connected to his heritage. The first interest of Izzy’s would not be what has allowed him to become an Icon representing his native Nigeria.
Adesanya began kickboxing at age 18 after drawing inspiration from the movie Ong-Bak. Adesanya is a huge fan of martial arts culture, movies, and anime. Izzy often emulates his favorite characters as he show boats in the Octagon. After beginning his Muay Thai training, Adesanya took the inspiration he had gained from various martial arts sources and began competing. 32 fights in, the undefeated Adesanya moved to China to leave the amateur phase of his career and turn pro. Adesanya would compile a 72-5 kickboxing record and 5-1 professional boxing record. Adesanya would win the Glory 34 Middleweight Tournament championship as well as 3 King of the Ring tournaments (2 Cruiserweight, 1 Heavyweight); Israel holds the record for most King of the Ring tournament wins.
After becoming a very dominant professional kickboxer, Israel Adesanya made the move to MMA. Izzy racked up an 11-0 professional record before the UFC offered him a contract in early 2017. 14 months after signing with the UFC, Israel Adesanya is 6-0 in the company. He has remained active and handled tough opposition. In July 2018, Adesanya dominated his first ranked opponent in Brad Tavares. In November of 2018, Adesanya starched Derek Brunson in his most dominant appearance to date. Adesanya stuffed 11 takedown attempts and knocked Brunson out in the first round. This victory earned him a fight that could only be described as destiny.
In February 2019, Israel Adesanya fought the man many considered him to be the next coming of: Anderson Silva. Adesanya went on record numerous times to explain how much of an influence Silva was on him growing up. Anderson Silva is widely considered the greatest mixed martial artist of all time; therefore, it is no surprise Adesanya was inspired by the Spider. The styles of both Adesanya and Silva are nearly identical. They are both long, lanky kickboxers with extreme creativity in the way the set up strikes. When the fight between the two men took place at UFC 234, the spectacle could be described as one of the best chess matches between strikers in UFC history. While the casual fan might have thought the fight was boring, tension remained high as the unexpected loomed over the entire three round fight. Both men showboated, landed hard strikes and counters, and in the end, a torch was passed. Anderson Silva handed off the baton to Israel Adesanya.
After building an impressive resume in the UFC, Adesanya earned his shot at UFC gold. Adesanya faced off with Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 for the Interim Middleweight championship. This fight could very easily be the greatest title fight in the division’s history, if not UFC history. Adesanya faced adversity in the first and fourth rounds, but took the better of rounds two and three. The fifth round saw Adesanya almost finish Gastelum numerous times. Adesanya dropped Kelvin over and over with heavy strikes and even locked up a guillotine choke and triangle choke. Adesanya would have earned his first ever submission victory had Gastelum tapped out to either choke. Adesanya showed both an improvement in his grappling, and the heart of a champion to whether his adversity. Almost being finished multiple times, to then dominate and almost finish Kelvin MORE times proved that Adesanya is much more than a hype train.
So what is next for Israel Adesanya? Current Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is coming off surgery on a hernia that prevented him from fighting Kelvin Gastelum back in February. Whittaker hails from Australia. Adesanya now has the chance to be in one of the biggest matchups in UFC history. A New Zealand vs Australia title fight with another striker who has dominated the division. Adesanya also has the chance to not only represent New Zealand, but his native Nigeria. The “Broken Native” would become only the second ever African champion in UFC history should he beat Whittaker. We know Adesanya is no stranger to his roots, so Izzy will proudly carry the support of New Zealand and Nigeria. Adesanya looks to prove that no matter his roots, despite his unacceptance when he first moved to New Zealand, and through all he has endured in his career, the kid from humble little Nigeria can accomplish great things.
Cover photo source:
Getty Images
Sources:
Image 1- MMA Junkie
Image 2- MMA Junkie
Hyperlink- Israel Adesanya is in Full Control of His Destiny, Thomas Gerbasi
Viseo: YouTube
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