UFC 234 results:

scorecards after going the full three round distance, Adesanya winning via unanimous decision.

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 after the Melbourne card was thrown into turmoil early yesterday morning when Kiwiborn 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.