Israel Adesanya, a Nigerian born New Zealander has knocked out Robert Whittaker in round two to become the undisputed middleweight champion at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.
Champagne for my real friends, real pain for my sham friends 🍾@stylebender shows love to his family and two birds to Paulo Costa after his #UFC243 win pic.twitter.com/mpvm0jVX8L
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
The 30 year old mixed martial artist who is unbeaten in the sport stretched his unbeaten run to 18 bouts with 14 knockouts and 4 by referees decisions.
The Adesanya fam celebrates @stylebender's coronation at #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/jxhVty3Rn8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
Though Adesanya was the underdog coming into the fight, he made good his way knocking down Whittaker and his excited parents stole the show with their emotional support after the Stylebender was declared winner.
Israel Adesanya just changed the walkout game 🤯@stylebender #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/fyj6zHuqCd
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
The ‘Stylebender’, as Adesanya is referred to, signed with the UFC in December 2017 and got his career off in the ring with a second round TKO win over Rob Wilkinson on February 11, 2018.
Undefeated. Undisputed. 🏆@stylebender #UFC243 pic.twitter.com/kirjD28CJq
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
The fight had a new UFC attendance record of 57,127 and grossed gate fees of AU$8,088,661 (US$5,478,345).
BIG DRAMA IN MELBOURNE #UFC243@stylebender knocks Whittaker down at the horn in Round 1 pic.twitter.com/jO6csHP5A6
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2019
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