5 reasons why Kamaru Usman should fight Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title

#4. Kamaru Usman has the style to defeat Israel Adesanya

Kamaru Usman should fight Adesanya because he has the skillset to defeat the 185-pound champ handily.

In his fight against then-light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, Adesanya struggled to deal with the Pole's takedowns in open space. Usman is a credentialed wrestling champion and would have an advantage entering the title fight if it goes to the ground.

Kamaru Usman's wrestling chops would be difficult for Israel Adesanya to deal with. Earlier in Usman's UFC career, the fighter was criticized for his inability to secure finishes. Usman's ability to implement wrestling pressure in championship fights is a useful weapon.

Usman faking his wrestling is sometimes more effective than following through on the technique. Kamaru Usman demonstrated this tactic against Jorge Masvidal. In their second fight, Usman faked low as if he was going to shoot a takedown on 'Gamebred'. After Masvidal grew accustomed to the motion, Usman would sneak over his guard with a devastating overhand right.

Usman's ability to feint his wrestling would be an ideal weapon against a striker like Adesanya. Since Adesanya relies on distance and set-ups, the pressure combined with Usman's clinch-ups could prove to be a problem for Adesanya. Usman blends his wrestling and striking together well and that would present a challenging fight for 'The Last Stylebender'.

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#3. Kamaru Usman should fight Israel Adesanya because the fight would test the resolve of both competitors

A fight against Israel Adesanya would be a true test of Usman's striking and grappling implementation. As it stands, Adesanya is redefining his legacy at middleweight but few would disagree that a fight with Usman would test the resolve of both UFC champions.

A fight between Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya would test both men's resolve. Since Adesanya has suffered at the hands of a wrestler, it would give the middleweight champ a stiff challenge. With Adesanya specializing in striking, and Usman's strength being wrestling, the fight would likely represent both styles of fighting quite well.

Israel Adesanya would be a puzzling test for Kamaru Usman if they ever were to meet in the cage. Both fighters are beginning to struggle to find contenders. While Adesanya still has a rematch with Robert Whittaker waiting in the wings, the division, like welterweight, needs some new blood for these dominant champions.

Kamaru Usman deserves a chance at becoming a dual-weight champion and a fight against Adesanya would test the resolve of both UFC athletes. Given the record of opponents that he has toppled, Usman's work warrants a crack at Israel Adesanya. The pair would push each other to the brink, potentially forging an even more dominant champion.