At a glance

The three judges scored the fight 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27 and it was deemed the Fight of the Night, with both men earning a US$50,000 bonus. Adesanya is now undefeated in five UFC fights and 16 MMA bouts.

In his post-fight interview, Adesanya said fighting Silva was like fighting his idol.

‘‘If I’m playing basketball this is like playing Michael Jordan,’’ he said.

Adesanya and Anderson’s fight was promoted to be the main event when Kiwi-born Australian middleweight champion Robert Whittaker had to withdraw due to a ‘‘freak’’ abdominal injury.

Adesanya, 29, was 14 years younger than Silva (43) and it showed. Adesanya landed 65 of 132 attempted significant strikes. Silva landed just 31 of 72 significant strikes. Adesanya battered the legs of Silva as he landed 29 of 31 strikes down low.

The tactical battle went up a few gears in the third and final round when the pair exchanged heavy shots.

Adesanya got the better of the exchanges – as he lowered the defence of Silva with his low kicks and bodywork – to land some crushing shots to the head.

Whittaker’s title defence against Kelvin Gastelum was canned, but UFC president Dana White said after Adesanya’s victory that Whittaker would hold the belt ‘‘for now’’.

All three Kiwi fighters from Auckland gym City Kickboxing were successful on the Melbourne card with Kai Kara-France winning via split decision and Shane Young taking a unanimous decision victory. UFC 234 results:

❚ Middleweight: Israel Adesanya b Anderson Silva via unanimous decision

❚ Lightweight: Lando Vannata b Marcos Rosa Mariano via submission

❚ Bantamweight: Ricky Simon b Rani Yahya via unanimous decision

❚ Women’s Flyweight: Montana De La Rosa b Nadia Kassem via submission (round 2)

❚ Light Heavyweight: Jim Crute b Sam Alvey via TKO (round 1)

❚ Lightweight: Devonte Smith b Dong Hyun Ma via TKO (round 1)

❚ Featherweight: Shane Young b Austin Arnett via unanimous decision

❚ Flyweight: Kai Kara-France b Raulian Paiva via split decision

❚ Bantamweight: Kyung Ho Kang b Teruto Ishihara via submission (round 1)

❚ Lightweight: Jalin Turner b Callan Potter via KO (round 1)

❚ Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez b Wuliji Buren via unanimous decision