Source: The Sun news.
In a moment that will be remembered in the annals of African sporting history, Nigeria’s own Israel Adesanya, famously known as “The Last Stylebender,” has been officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters to ever step into the octagon.
The prestigious ceremony took place in Las Vegas as part of the UFC’s International Fight Week, a global celebration of mixed martial arts. Adesanya, who made his UFC debut in 2018 and swiftly rose to prominence, was honoured for his remarkable achievements, particularly his historic UFC Middleweight Championship victory in 2019, which he clinched in his first title shot.
With his unique blend of striking accuracy, flamboyant movement, and unshakeable confidence, Adesanya transformed the middleweight division and brought global attention to African excellence in combat sports.
From Lagos to Auckland to Las Vegas—it’s been an incredible journey,” Adesanya said emotionally while receiving the honour. “This moment is for everyone who ever believed that a kid from Nigeria could take over the world.”Born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in New Zealand, the 35-year-old fighter is widely celebrated for his dynamic fighting style and has become a cultural icon across continents.
His Hall of Fame induction places him among the legends of the sport and underscores the growing impact of African fighters on the global MMA scene.
During his UFC reign, Adesanya recorded title defenses against some of the toughest opponents in the sport, including Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Yoel Romero. He also played a major role in promoting MMA in Africa, helping to inspire a new generation of fighters.
His induction comes at a time when African fighters are achieving unprecedented success. Alongside Adesanya, Kamaru Usman (former UFC Welterweight Champion) and Francis Ngannou (former UFC Heavyweight Champion) have raised Africa’s flag high on the global stage, collectively ushering in what fans now call the “African Era” of MMA.As tributes continue to pour in from fans, fighters, and sports legends, one thing is clear:
Israel Adesanya has etched his name in the sands of time—not just as a UFC champion, but as a global ambassador of African pride and perseverance.
Photos from the UFC Hall of Fame Ceremony | Las Vegas, USA🔗 More updates on www.frontnaija.com
