Adesanya Emerges As Title Contender | The Sporting Base
[google-translator]

UFC 234: Adesanya Emerges As Title Contender After Victory Over Childhood Hero

February 10, 2019

By Lindsay
UFC 234: Adesanya Emerges As Title Contender After Victory Over Childhood Hero

UFC fans woke to the shock news that Middleweight champion and Australian product Robert Whittaker had withdrawn from his title fight with Kelvin Gastelum at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena today due to a hernia.

If there could be one positive to come from this disappointment it was that arguably the most exciting fighter on the card, Israel Adesanya, would meet childhood hero and UFC legend Anderson Silva in what would now be the main event.

Adesanya’s unique kickboxing style shone through and saw him out strike and out score score his opponent in all three rounds.

The judges unanimously awarded the fight to the New Zealand based Adesanya with scored of 29-28, 30-27, 30-27.

Adesanya always seemed to be in control of the fight, using his reach advantage to land consistent punches to the head of Silva.

His spinning head kicks always loomed dangerous but Silva displayed great defensive skills to avoid them.

The victory extends Adesanya’s record to 16-0 and confirms the hype around his title aspirations.

It should be assumed that Kelvin Gastelum will be given his shot at Whittaker, an interesting sub plot to the card was Gastelum watching in the front row with a belt over his shoulder.

It is believed it was a replica belt that could be purchased by fans at Rod Laver Arena. When interviewed Gastelum claimed that the Whittakers withdrawal on the day of the fight was a forfeit.

This view is not shared within the rules of the UFC and many believe this was a stunt to guarantee he would get his shot rather than Whittaker’s next defence being against Adesanya if he was to win.

Leave a Reply

[youtube-feed feed=1]

November 22, 2024

NFL Weekly Preview Week 12 2024: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

We are headed into the twelfth week of the season Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets Key Injuries There were several key season-ending injuries from Week 11 Players Read More

November 22, 2024

Italy wins 2024 Billie Jean King Cup

For the fifth time in their nation's history, Italy has won the greatest women's international team tennis trophy--the Billie Jean King Cup On Wednesday, Italy defeated Slovakia two matches to none Read More

November 22, 2024

Dalton Knecht ties NBA record for most three-pointers in a game by a rookie

Basketball history was made on Tuesday in the Los Angeles Lakers's 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz at cryptocom Arena in Los Angeles, California Lakers small forward Dalton Knecht of Fargo, North Read More