Is The Last Stylebender destined to become UFC’s next big megastar?
In the UFC’s illustrious and storybook 25 year existence, there has been many characters, several proper superstars, some real legends and few hall of fame inductees. All whose names will live on far beyond our lifetimes. But there has only been a handful of real mega stars that’s step foot into the octagon and transcended the sport and the brand to another level, allowing the UFC to further grow and expand.
I know over the years there has been several fighters who are still huge stars today, but were predicted as the next big megastar but for one reason or another, hasn’t really made that next big jump into megastardom. Israel “the last stylebender” Adesanya is next up to bat to see if he could make that step into the realms of megastardom.
I just feel he gets it, inside and outside the octagon. He talks well, has a decent and vast fighting background and experience, is a real showman, knows how to entertain, is engaging, can be funny, knows how to have a laugh, but ultimately, he has real legit fighting ability and a unique skill set, even for the UFC.
The way he dispatched the previous middleweight title holder Robert Whittaker in less than two rounds was really impressive and more than enough for everyone to sit up and take notice. Credited Whittaker had been out of the octagon for 16 months following an emergency abdominal hernia operation, but he was still a formidable force.
For me, Adesanya has the feel of a megastar. Born in Nigeria but raised in New Zealand from the age of 10, so already has the benefit of two cultures.
He has won accolades in other organisation at middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight and even had a few professional boxing matches with a record of 5-1. In the UFC he came into the title fight on a six fight winning streak and his last three wins came against Derek Brunson, Anderson Silva and Kelvin Gastelum.
His vast experience in combat sports made him a perfect fit for the UFC and came into it with bit of a reputation, due to his impressive fight catalogue. Some said he was similar to Jon Jones, others said he was similar to Anderson Silva. You could even say he is a cross between both.
With such comparisons, he was destined to get to the top but I am not sure many expected it to come so soon. Just 20 months after his UFC debut, the stars aligned for his title shot. Credit to him that the title shot fight was his seventh in just 20 months. So he definitely did it the hard way and for the title fight, he traveled to Melbourne, Australia the home town of his opponent, the champion (although he was also the interim champion).
Again, I say Adesanya gets it. He knew this was an iconic moment in his career and he made it even more so with his unique entrance, which involved a quick dance choreography with three friends, topped off with a one handed stand and his now trademark one arm in the air, following an imaginary cocking of a weapon.
Adesanya is a keen anime and Marvel fan and it was fitting that he was fighting in the “Marvel stadium” in Australia. While Bruce Buffer was introducing him, he took out an imaginary notepad, wrote something down before putting it back in his pocket.
After the fight, he explained that this was homage to a renowned Japanese anime “Death Note” where a notebook is discovered that gives the holder the power to kill anyone by simply writing the name on the page. This was known as the Shinigami.
These are the type of soundbites, iconic moments, entertainment and sheer showmanship that could propel Adesanya into being a real megastar. Along with the fact he is a keen anime and Marvel fan and often uses references from both that could bring a new audience into the sport. Then you add the fact of how he backs up his talk in the octagon with his exceptional fighting skills.
This was all on display in the first round against Whittaker who definitely came to fight. Adesanya was fighting with his hands down, keeping his distance and using his reach. He relies on his superb footwork, excellent head movement and precision striking. Whittaker was trying to close the distance and loading up with big shots, however, Adesanya was staying calm and moving well.
Whittaker started to come with big actions, huge overhand shots and kicks, which Adesanya began to telegraph, although the round seemed to be fairly even, Whittaker seemed to be expending the more energy with Adesnaya feeling him out and going through the motions at distance. Then, right at the end of the first round Adesanya dropped Whittaker with a sweet right hook, Whittakaer was saved as the buzzer sounded while he was on his back with Adesanya just about to move in.
In the second round Whittaker knew his was down a round and pushed the pace. Adesanya was prepared to stand in the pocket, use his head movement and precision striking.
Adesanya’s quickness and movement was on full display. In an exchange where they both connected, Adesanya caught Whittaker with a right then a left hook that sent the Australian reeling back and down, Adesanya then followed in with blows forcing the ref to stop the fight making Israel Adesanya the undisputed UFC middleweight champion.
No sooner had the dust settled on this fight Adesanya was focused on what was next. Never missing a chance to entertain or provide a sound bite, in his post fight interview he acknowledged Paulo Costa was next and threw out a few insults while throwing down the challenge.
If Whittaker was supposed to be a tough battle, Costa will be a monumental one and if Adesanya could dispatch Costa in an impressive fashion then megastardom would surely be within his reach.
Costa is coming off a gruelling fight of the night win in August against Yoel Romero at UFC241. Costa answered a lot of questions about his gas tank and punch resistance. It seemed after Adesanya’s win, Costa and Adesanya are creating quite the rivalry and the build up will certainly be eventful.
Costa is a mammoth, hulk looking figure that possesses power, strength and brute force. Adesanya is that smooth, slick, precision striker with deceiving power and intelligence. It is an intriguing match up that although will be months down the line, is already an eagerly anticipated fight.
However, in the meantime, I am sure Adesanya will enjoy the title of undisputed UFC middleweight champion but know it could be just the start of things to come. He will acknowledge he now has a huge target on his back, but would have expected and will be happy with it, as he is exactly where he wants to be.
For me, out of all the pretenders there has been to the megastardom crown in the UFC. I feel he is the best placed, most equipped, most prepared and possesses the right amount of ability, showmanship, intelligence and discipline to be the next megastar in the company.
Time will tell if he could follow in the huge footsteps of the likes of Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor. I believe those two are out in front in terms UFC megastars, however, he is heading in the right direction and has all the marketable attributes one needs. It seems it’s The Last Stylebenders world and we are just living in it.
