Israel Adesanya gets UFC Hall of Fame induction

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been inducted into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame.

The Nigerian-New Zealand fighter was honoured during a ceremony held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, joining the UFC’s prestigious Fight Wing for his epic 2019 showdown against Kelvin Gastelum.

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Adesanya, 35, earned the accolade for his unforgettable war with Gastelum at UFC 236, where he secured a unanimous decision victory to claim the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship.

The five-round thriller featured four knockdowns by Adesanya, a record for a title bout, and it is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in UFC history.

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Speaking about the honour, Adesanya admitted he was taken aback when he learnt of the induction.

“I was surprised,” he said in an earlier interview.

“I’m too young, but I wouldn’t fight it. If they want to honour me like that, I’ll take it. I’m very grateful.”

Reflecting on the Gastelum fight, Adesanya said, “He just brought the best out of me. That was one of the top three moments in my life, not just my fighting career. It pushed me to a level I didn’t know existed.”

Despite a recent downturn in form, with losses in his last three UFC bouts, Adesanya remains one of the sport’s most celebrated figures. He views the Gastelum fight as a defining chapter in his legacy.

“It’s never going to be something that anyone can take away from both of us. That’s cemented forever. Legacy,” he said.

Anthony Nlebem

Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.