Israel Adesanya is a 35-year-old fighter from Nigeria who is a former middleweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Starting his professional mixed martial arts career in 2012, Adesanya holds a record of 24 wins and 4 losses as of January 2025. And over the years, Adesanya has had 16 knockout wins and 8 wins by decision. Whereas he has had two losses via finishes and 2 via decision.
He made his UFC debut at UFC 221 against Rob Wilkinson and won the fight via TKO at 3:37 in the second round. The fight took place in Perth, Australia, and Adesanya took home a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his showcase. Adesanya faced Kelvin Gastelum for the interim UFC middleweight title and won the bout unanimously at UFC 236 on April 13, 2019. Later, he unified the UFC middleweight championship by defeating the former champion Robert Whittaker via knockout at UFC UFC 243 on October 6, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia. Adesanya also earned a ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus for his knockout victory. Adesanya was undefeated with a professional MMA record of 18 win streak at the time.
Israel Adesanya's title defenses
Israel Adesanya has had five successful title defenses in his career. Even though Adesanya lost his title to Alex Pereira in his 6th defense match, ‘The Last Sylebender’ won back the championship.
In his 6th title defense against Sean Strickland in Australia on September 9, 2023, Adesanya was defeated and lost his belt. Moreover, the 35-year-old fighter is set to return to action against Nassourdine Imavov on February 1, 2025.
UFC 248: Adesanya vs. Romero
Israel Adesanya had his first UFC middleweight title defense against Yoel Romero at UFC 248 on March 7, 2020, and won the fight via a unanimous decision.
UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa
Adesanya had his second title defense against Paulo Costa and won the fight via TKO at 3:59 in the second round. The fight took place on September 27, 2020, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
UFC 263: Adesanya vs. Vettori
For his third title defense, Adesanya had a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori on June 12, 2021, at UFC 263 in Glendale, Arizona, United States.
UFC 271: Adesanya vs. Whittaker
At UFC 271, Adesanya defeated Robert Whittaker via a unanimous decision on February 12, 2022, in Houston, Texas, United States.
UFC 276: Adesanya vs. Cannonier
For his fifth title defense, Adesanya had a decision win over Jared Cannonier on July 2, 2022 at UFC 276.
Read More About this: What is Israel Adesanya's fight record?
Israel Adesanya Title Match Breakdowns
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 24–4 | Dricus du Plessis | Submission (face crank) | UFC 305 | 18 August 2024 | 4 | 3:38 | Perth, Australia | For the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Loss | 24-3 | Sean Strickland | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 293 | 10 September 2023 | 5 | 5:00 | Sydney, Australia | Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 24–2 | Alex Pereira | KO (punches) | UFC 287 | 8 April 2023 | 2 | 4:21 | Miami, Florida, United States | Won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 23–2 | Alex Pereira | TKO (punches) | UFC 281 | 12 November 2022 | 5 | 2:01 | New York City, New York, United States | Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 23–1 | Jared Cannonier | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 276 | 2 July 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 22–1 | Robert Whittaker | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 271 | 12 February 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Houston, Texas, United States | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 21–1 | Marvin Vettori | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 263 | 12 June 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Glendale, Arizona, United States | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 20–0 | Paulo Costa | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC 253 | 27 September 2020 | 2 | 3:59 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 19–0 | Yoel Romero | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 248 | 7 March 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–0 | Robert Whittaker | KO (punches) | UFC 243 | 6 October 2019 | 2 | 3:33 | Melbourne, Australia | Won and unified the UFC Middleweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 17–0 | Kelvin Gastelum | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 236 | 13 April 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Won the interim UFC Middleweight Championship. Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year. |
FAQs On Israel Adesanya
A. Israel Adesanya has had five successful title defenses in his career.
A. Adesanya had his second title defense against Paulo Costa and won the fight via TKO at 3:59 in the second round. The fight took place on September 27, 2020, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
A. Israel Adesanya unified the UFC middleweight championship by defeating the former champion Robert Whittaker via knockout at UFC UFC 243 on October 6, 2019, in Melbourne, Australia.
A. Israel Adesanya has had only four losses in his mixed martial arts career as of January 2025, and all have taken place in the UFC.
A. Israel Adesanya is set to fight Nassourdine Imavov in his next fight at UFC Fight Night: Saudi Arabia.
![Israel Adesanya bumping into Dricus du Plessis in resurfaced sparring footage breaks the internet [VIDEO]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/12/b93f4-17032216938036-1920.jpg?h=166)
