UFC: Israel Adesanya Becomes the New Middleweight Champion
Israel Adesanya is the new UFC middleweight Champion after defeating Robert Whittaker in the second round of their main event bout at UFC 243 in Melbourne, Australia.
Adesanya used his versatile skillset to slay the dragon and take the title, using his flair for the dramatic all the way through.
Adesanya showed why is most certainly the next big thing in the UFC by planting a counter left hook on the whiskers of his Aussie foe in the second round that spelled Whittaker’s demise and made the 30-year-old the undisputed middleweight champion less than two years after his debut with the promotion.
The first round was nip and tuck with Adesanya and Whittaker landing their fair share of clean shots. Whittaker had a slight advantage heading into the conclusion of the round due to his accuracy.
With the round coming to a close, Adesanya changed the complexion of the bout as a Whittaker right hand grazed Adesanya with a right hand, and was countered with a short right hook that sent Whittaker to the canvas at the end of the round.
The victory was the culmination of Adesanya’s journey to the top of the fight game.
“I remember everything like an elephant,” Adesanya said. “Like I said, I was in the nose bleeds. Now I made his nose bleed.”
Following his victory, Adesanya was quick to call his next shot. Adesanya called out undefeated Paulo Costa — including throwing a pro wrestling-style crotch chop at the Brazilian star.
