Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya Bio
Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya, born on July 22, 1989, is a Nigerian-New Zealand professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer and boxer. He competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion. Adesanya is known for his dynamic fighting style and has earned recognition as one of the top middleweight fighters in the world.
Early Life and Background
Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the eldest of five children to Oluwafemi, an accountant, and Taiwo Adesanya, a nurse. He is of Yoruba ethnicity. At age 10, his family moved to Rotorua, New Zealand, where he attended Rotorua Boys’ High School. During his school years, Adesanya was more interested in Japanese anime than sports and faced bullying, which later influenced his decision to pursue martial arts. He initially trained in Taekwondo but stopped due to injury.
After high school, Adesanya enrolled at the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui, New Zealand, studying Computer Design. At 18, inspired by the Muay Thai film Ong-Bak, he began training in kickboxing. He eventually left his studies to focus on a professional fighting career, amassing an amateur kickboxing record of 32–1 before turning professional and moving to Auckland to train in mixed martial arts under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing.
Path to MMA
Adesanya started his professional MMA career in 2012 with a technical knockout victory. After a brief hiatus, he returned in 2015, compiling an 8–0 record primarily in Oceanian and Chinese circuits. During this period, he won the AFC Middleweight Championship and the Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship, showcasing his striking prowess and finishing ability. His early success in regional promotions paved the way for his entry into the UFC.
Israel Adesanya Career
Early Career (2012–2017)
Adesanya debuted professionally in MMA in 2012, quickly establishing himself with multiple knockout victories. After a two-year break, he returned to competition in 2015, earning titles in regional promotions such as Australia Fighting Championship and Hex Fight Series. His striking skills, honed through kickboxing, were evident as he dominated opponents with technical knockouts and knockouts.
UFC Breakthrough (2018–Present)
In December 2017, Adesanya signed with the UFC and made an impressive debut in February 2018 with a second-round technical knockout over Rob Wilkinson, earning a Performance of the Night award. He continued his winning streak with victories over Marvin Vettori, Brad Tavares, and Derek Brunson, collecting multiple Performance of the Night honors.
Adesanya’s rise culminated in winning the interim UFC Middleweight Championship against Kelvin Gastelum in April 2019, a fight widely regarded as one of the best of the year. He unified the middleweight title by knocking out Robert Whittaker in October 2019. He successfully defended his title multiple times against top contenders including Yoel Romero and Paulo Costa, showcasing his striking precision and fight IQ.
In March 2021, Adesanya moved up to light heavyweight to challenge Jan Błachowicz for the title but suffered his first MMA loss via unanimous decision. He regained the middleweight title in a rematch against Marvin Vettori in June 2021 and defended it successfully against Robert Whittaker and Jared Cannonier. In November 2022, he lost the middleweight title to Alex Pereira but reclaimed it in a rematch in April 2023. In September 2023, he lost the title to Sean Strickland and subsequently lost to Dricus du Plessis in August 2024 and Nassourdine Imavov in February 2025.
City Kickboxing Era (2010–Present)
Adesanya has trained with City Kickboxing throughout his MMA career, under coach Eugene Bareman. This partnership has been integral to his development and success, blending striking and grappling techniques. His training environment includes other elite fighters, fostering a competitive and supportive atmosphere that has helped maintain his position at the top of the middleweight division.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Adesanya is known for his kickboxing stance and striking skills, utilizing reach and precision to control fights. His 193 cm height and 203 cm reach give him advantages in striking distance. He combines technical striking with strategic movement and has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, adding grappling skills to his arsenal. His ability to adapt and read opponents has been key to his championship reigns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Adesanya’s career is marked by multiple Performance of the Night awards and memorable fights, including his knockout of Robert Whittaker to unify the UFC Middleweight Championship and his epic bout with Kelvin Gastelum. His nickname, “The Last Stylebender,” references the anime Avatar: The Last Airbender, reflecting his interest in anime culture. He was the first MMA athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Puma, highlighting his marketability and influence.
Israel Adesanya Career Wins
Adesanya has accumulated 24 wins in professional MMA out of 29 fights, with victories coming by knockout, submission, and decision. His record includes notable championship wins and defenses in the UFC middleweight division, establishing him as one of the premier fighters in the sport.
UFC Highlights
Adesanya’s UFC career features multiple title wins and defenses. His first UFC win was a technical knockout over Rob Wilkinson in 2018. He has earned several Performance of the Night awards and Fight of the Night honors. His most recent title win was a knockout victory over Alex Pereira in April 2023 to reclaim the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Adesanya won regional titles such as the AFC Middleweight Championship and Hex Fight Series Middleweight championship. He also had a successful kickboxing career, winning tournaments and competing at a high level internationally.
Israel Adesanya Family
Family Background and Lineage
Adesanya is the eldest child of Oluwafemi and Taiwo Adesanya. His father is an accountant and his mother is a nurse. He is of Yoruba descent and was born in Lagos, Nigeria. His family moved to New Zealand during his childhood, where he developed his fighting career.
Personal Life
Adesanya resides in Auckland, New Zealand. He is multilingual, fluent in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, and English. Before fighting, he competed in dance competitions and is a fan of anime and professional wrestling. His nickname and tattoos reflect his passion for anime culture. He signed a landmark sponsorship deal with Puma in 2020. Adesanya has faced legal issues, including a 2023 drunk driving incident for which he was fined and given a driving suspension.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Adesanya faced challenges in the UFC middleweight division, including a loss to Nassourdine Imavov by technical knockout. Despite setbacks, he remains a prominent figure in the sport with a history of championship success. His career continues to be followed closely as he seeks to regain his standing among the elite middleweights. Team dynamics at City Kickboxing remain strong, providing a solid foundation for his ongoing efforts in the octagon.