Israel Adesanya has secured his place in UFC history, with his thrilling fight against Kelvin Gastelum being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. This bout, part of the co-main event at UFC 236 in April 2019, saw Adesanya clash with Gastelum for the interim middleweight title. The five-round battle ended with Adesanya winning by unanimous decision, marking the start of his illustrious title reign.
Despite the glory of this induction, Adesanya recently faced disappointment, suffering his fourth loss in five fights just weeks prior. Reflecting on the ups and downs, he expressed appreciation for the significant moments in his career, stating he wouldn’t change a thing and feels grateful for his experiences. He acknowledged the importance of his family’s support and looked ahead to future challenges with gratitude.
Following the Hall of Fame announcement at UFC 312, Adesanya shared a moment with Gastelum over the phone. They exchanged thanks and reflected on their intense rivalry, with Adesanya thanking Gastelum for the competitive spirit he brought to the fight, which was marked by mutual respect amidst pre-fight banter. Adesanya noted that Gastelum was formidable in the octagon, having even rocked him in the first round of their encounter.