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Israel Adesanya is making gains toward his claim as the middleweight GOAT. Oftentimes, fans, pundits, and media assign the 'greatest of all time' (GOAT) attribute to fighters who accomplish extraordinary feats. One of the premier divisions in the UFC is middleweight. The 185-pound division has always been known to have some of the most exciting fighters on the roster.
However, as an active middleweight with obvious star potential, perhaps a different path than the status-quo will be in store for Israel Adesanya. While his foray into the 205-pound division did not go quite as planned, he hung in there with a heavier champion nonetheless.
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Though that bout was light heavyweight and 'The Last Stylebender' intends to establish himself as the greatest to ever do it at 185-pounds. While the reigning middleweight champion has some large shoes to fill, Israel Adesanya is well on his way to securing a spot on the GOAT list.
Today we take a closer look at 5 things Israel Adesanya has to do to become the middleweight GOAT of the UFC.
#5. Israel Adesanya will need to rack up title defenses
Israel Adesanya made his UFC debut in 2018 and had enough swagger for the entire roster. It didn't take long before he was in a main event, as he was paired with Brad Tavares on The Ultimate Fighter Season 27 Finale. The middleweight contest was exciting. While Adesanya could not finish the Hawaiian, he certainly put on a striking masterclass through five rounds.
Israel Adesanya had a rapid ascension in the UFC. After finishing Derek Brunson it was clear 'The Last Stylebender' had staying power in the company. Interestingly, along the way up to title contention, he was tasked with facing none other than the man he's trying to steal the GOAT status from, Anderson Silva.
Despite Silva being advanced in age, the Brazilian legend put forth a great showing against Israel Adesanya. Even though Adesanya won a clear decision win against Anderson Silva, the rising 185-pound star will need many more convincing performances for the masses to call him the middleweight GOAT.
One of the more important distinctions when deciding on a GOAT for a UFC weight class is the number of title defenses they had. While both middleweights are legends in their own right, perhaps the star-lit path Adesanya is taking to become a GOAT will be different than any fighter before him.
#4. Israel Adesanya has to stay at middleweight
A 16-fight winning streak alongside ten title defenses will be difficult to match. If Israel Adesanya wants to become middleweight GOAT, then that, or something close to it, will be required. Anderson Silva left massive shoes to fill and his finishing potential was amongst the best in UFC history. If anyone can fill those shoes, it's Israel Adesanya.
After his failed attempt at moving up to light heavyweight, it seems clear that Israel Adesanya is doing his best work in the middleweight division anyway. Since 'The Last Stylebender' was never been beaten in a 185-pound contest, he still has the aura of mystery surrounding his style of fighting that Silva does not have now.
In an effort to advance himself toward the middleweight GOAT claim, Israel Adesanya returned to face a familiar opponent after losing to Jan Blachowicz. 'The Italian Dream' would receive his second shot at Adesanya after the two met in 2018. The rematch showed that Adesanya was still making improvements despite losing to the light heavyweight champion.
Israel Adesanya secured his third title defense in his rematch against Marvin Vettori. There is now another middleweight contender on deck and it's a rematch. However, it's still a fight everyone is dying to see and it will only add to his legacy as a champion if he wins.
#3. Israel Adesanya has to close out the chapter with Robert Whittaker
Since Robert Whittaker was on his way to becoming one of the top UFC 185-pound titleholders, many would like to see the pair of middleweights battle it out again. In their 2019 encounter, the pressure couldn't have been more intense, as the two were tasked with facing each other in front of a full crowd in Melbourne, Australia.
In the first round of their epic UFC 243 main event, it seemed Whittaker's style of rushing in against Adesanya was falling flat. The counter puncher from New Zealand took advantage of a speed discrepancy and was connecting flush on some left hooks in round one against Whittaker.
The performance highlighted Adesanya's ability to control distance. After maintaining long range, Whittaker was forced to cover too much ground to get into striking distance with Israel Adesanya. Regardless, 'The Reaper' was able to find a home for some damaging oblique kicks.
With the second round underway, it seemed as though Adesanya's shot selection was taking a toll on Whittaker. Israel Adesanya played matador with Whittaker, and did so effectively. As Whittaker would rush in, the two found themselves in clinch exchanges. On the break is when Adesanya found a home for those damaging left hooks.
Adesanya's claim to become the middleweight GOAT is tied to Whittaker. With another defense against a middleweight great, he will be even closer to that lofty goal.
#2. Israel Adesanya has to remain in the UFC
Israel Adesanya can set himself far and away from the rest of the middleweight landscape if he can remain with the company long enough. Given all of these celebrity boxing crossover fights, UFC fighters are leaving the promotion at an alarming rate in order to seek out more lucrative ventures.
Despite the temptation to go try his hand at boxing like Tyron Woodley, Israel Adesanya will need to stay put if he plans to emerge as the UFC's middleweight GOAT. Remaining unbeaten in the weight class he reigns over is a great start.
Outside of the UFC, it would be challenging for Israel Adesanya to make the claim as one of the GOATs. While the middleweight champion had a wildly successful kickboxing career, the accolades never brought him sufficient notoriety or fame. Of course, it only took a few UFC fights for the world to see that 'The Last Stylebender' was a legitimate threat to the 185-pound crown.
Despite all of the crossover boxing events, Israel Adesanya's best chance of becoming the middleweight GOAT is by staying in the UFC and racking up title defenses. Still, his flashy style and knack for mic skills could see him reach heights that GOATs before him have not yet reached.
#1. Israel Adesanya has to remain who he is
Adesanya's performance against Jan Blachowicz exposed some defects in his wrestling game. It's important for 'The Last Stylebender' to continue doing what earned him his championship though.
During his last performance against Vettori, despite being taken down, Israel Adesanya still implored his striking fundamentals more effectively than in their first fight. Adesanya seems to be improving on his striking during clinch exchanges too. Overall, Adesanya will have to remain focused on his striking, despite the wrestling threats awaiting.
While 'The Italian Dream' was unable to capitalize on his hard-fought takedowns, the sequences are still cause for concern for a middleweight looking to cement himself as the GOAT. It seems increasingly likely that Adesanya will be tasked with facing another wrestler down the line. However, if his striking continues to evolve like it has, then wrestling chops may not come into play.
Make no mistake, Israel Adesanya has made steady improvements since his UFC debut in 2018. Judging by his wrestling in the first Vettori encounter, to the Brad Tavares fight, he made notable improvements in his wrestling capabilities in less than four months.
The middleweight champion is making steady gains. After his most recent title defense at UFC 263 in June, it was clear he had tweaked his takedown defense to improve on the wrestling acumen that is catching up with his brilliant striking.
