Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has officially joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Hall of Fame. The Nigerian-New Zealand star was honoured at a special ceremony at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where he was inducted into the UFC’s prestigious Fight Wing.
Adesanya, 35, received the accolade for his legendary 2019 bout against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236. The five-round battle, which Adesanya won by unanimous decision to claim the Interim UFC Middleweight title, is widely regarded as one of the greatest fights in UFC history. Adesanya set a record for four knockdowns in a single title fight during the epic clash.
Reacting to the induction, Adesanya expressed his gratitude, admitting he was surprised by the recognition at this stage of his career.
“I’m too young, but I wouldn’t fight it. If they want to honour me like that, I’ll take it. I’m very grateful,” he said.
He described the Gastelum fight as one of the defining moments of his life and career, saying, “He just brought the best out of me. That was one of the top three moments in my life, not just my fighting career. It pushed me to a level I didn’t know existed.”
Despite a recent dip in form, with losses in his last three UFC matches, Adesanya remains one of the sport’s most influential and celebrated athletes. The Gastelum bout, now immortalised in the Hall of Fame, is a testament to his enduring legacy.
“It’s never going to be something that anyone can take away from both of us. That’s cemented forever. Legacy,” Adesanya said.