Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya has extend his unbeaten run in the middleweight class. The Nigerian put up a thrilling performance against Brazilian showstopper, Anderson Silva, taking home the win by unanimous decision at the UFC 234.
Originally, Adesanya and Silva’s fight was billed for the co-main event in Melbourne. However, their bout was bumped to the main event after Australian UFC middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker, backed out of his world title defense fight against American Kelvin Gastelum.
According to officials, the Australian champ apparently suffered a “severe abdominal injury” and had to undergo emergency surgery.
Former middleweight champion, Silva, has only just returned from a two-year break, which included a one-year doping-ban, and was looking to make a dominant comeback against the undefeated Nigerian former kick-boxer.
Fans at the Rod Laver Arena went wild as both fighters tried every trick in their box in a bid to outwit each other in the three-round encounter.
At the end of the third round, Adesanya, was declared the winner by unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27.
The Nigerian has now taken his career record to 16 fights-16 wins.
Speaking to the media after the fight, Adesanya said being in the ring with one of his icons was definitely a dream come true.
“This is crazy. This is like, for a kid, just to play… If I’m playing basketball, to play against Michael Jordan. This is it for me.”
Featured image source: Guardian NG