Adesanya wins UFC belt
Israel Adesanya beat Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision to lift the UFC middleweight interim belt in a contender for fight of the year.
The 29-year-old was on the brink of stopping Gastelum in the final seconds of the fight in the comain event of UFC 236 in Atlanta yesterday.
The victory means Adesanya remains unbeaten in the UFC with a 6-0 record and sets up a dream trans-tasman unification bout with reigning middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.
Whittaker, who was born in New Zealand but moved to Australia as a young child, took to Twitter immediately after Adesanya’s win to congratulate him on the victory and signed off with: ‘‘See you soon’’.
Adesanya becomes the first New Zealand-based fighter to win a UFC belt.
At the end of the five rounds, all three judges scored the fight – closer than many expected – 48-46 in favour of Adesanya. Both fighters finished the bout with blood smeared faces.
The crowd were on their feet to give both fighters a standing ovation for the stunning fight.
Adesanya was just one significant strike off doubling that of Gastelum with the final numbers reading 135 to 68.
Born in Nigeria, ‘The Last Stylebender’ moved to New Zealand when he was 13 and his entire fighting career has been based out of his adopted country.
‘‘I was willing to give it all and leave it all in there.
‘‘I’m the champion, let’s go,’’ Adesanya said immediately after the fight.
Gastelum, who dominated the opening round, had many moments of success with his hands but Adesanya’s height and reach advantage and head movement meant many of his strikes came up short, especially late in the fight. Adesanya, who was able to escape several take down attempts from Gastelum, dominated the final round to put the icing on the cake.
Gastelum’s work-rate and accuracy slowed as the fight progressed but he was always dangerous until Adesanya took over in the final minute of the last round.
The contest was easily the toughest of Adesanya’s career but he showed he can come through adversity and silenced any doubters he claimed he did not have a solid chin.
His wrestling skills were also tested but his defence in nullifying Gastelum’s attempts to get to the ground were supreme.
Adesanya’s title is the first for Auckland gym City Kickboxing which also has fellow UFC fighters Dan Hooker, Kai Karafrance and Shane Young in its stable.
* Mat Kermeen travelled to Atlanta with assistance from UFC.