Adesanya rated as top star
New Zealand’s MMA superstar Israel Adesanya has been selected atop the first MMAPower Rankings released by ESPN. The US-based sports media giant’s Power Rankings take into account a fighter’s success, as well as momentum and star power. ESPN said Adesanya, the UFCmiddleweight champion, has beaten every top challenger. ‘‘And he has done it with a flair befitting his ‘‘Last Stylebender’’ nickname. Whether he’s fighting, speaking, trolling on social media or dancing hisway into the octagon, Adesanya is amust-follow personality,’’ ESPN wrote. He heads the rankings from Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.