In a display of sportsmanship and respect, Israel Adesanya, widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history, paid tribute to fellow Australian and featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski following his stunning knockout victory at UFC 290. Adesanya, who was in attendance at the event, acknowledged Volk’s incredible performance, hailing him as the “greatest of all time” in post-match reactions.
The two fighters share a bond as fellow countrymen, and Adesanya’s homage to Volkanovski underscores the camaraderie and admiration within the UFC community.
Israel Adesanya lavishes praise on Alexander Volkanovski
Israel Adesanya attended UFC 290 to support his teammate Alexander Volkanovski, who was defending his featherweight title against Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski showcased his dominance and cemented his status as one of the best fighters in the world, securing a third-round TKO victory. Impressed by his performance, Adesanya proclaimed Volkanovski as the “greatest of all time.”
"THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME!"@stylebender embraces @alexvolkanovski after his #UFC290 victory đ¤ pic.twitter.com/lSKZYl9Z0k
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 9, 2023
The debate surrounding the greatest featherweight fighter of all time has been ongoing, and Adesanya’s viewpoint adds to the discussion. According to the renowned fighter known as ‘The Last Stylebender,’ Volkanovski not only holds the title of the greatest in the 145-pound division but also ranks as the best MMA fighter to have ever graced the octagon.
A heartfelt moment between Adesanya and Volkanovski was captured and shared on Twitter by ESPN MMA. In the video, Adesanya expressed his admiration for his friend, saying, “You’re the greatest of all time. Greatest of all time. You’re the man. I love you. You’re the greatest of all time, no doubt. The greatest of all time, let’s go!”
With his victory over Rodriguez, Volkanovski maintained his impressive record at featherweight and expressed willingness to continue pursuing his goal of becoming a two-division champion. However, his previous attempt at claiming a second title ended in defeat against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284.
Considering Volkanovski’s impressive performance against Rodriguez, many now speculate that a potential future matchup between Volkanovski and Makhachev could be again on the horizon.
Alexander Volkanovski defends his UFC title for the 5th time
Alexander Volkanovski showcased his dominance once again as he successfully defended his UFC featherweight championship for the fifth consecutive time. In a highly anticipated matchup against Yair Rodriguez at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Volkanovski secured a TKO victory, further solidifying his claim as the division’s top.
The turning point of the fight came in the third round when Volkanovski landed a powerful right hook to Rodriguez’s chin, staggering him. Seizing the opportunity, Volkanovski unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, leaving Rodriguez defenseless against the cage. Referee Herb Dean intervened and halted the fight, declaring Volkanovski the winner.
Volkanovski’s victory was built on a dominant performance in the opening two rounds. He effectively limited Rodriguez’s space to unleash his dangerous kicks by continuously pursuing him and utilizing takedowns and ground control. The Australian fighter’s relentless pressure suffocated Rodriguez throughout the bout.
With this win, Volkanovski now stands just two title defenses shy of Jose Aldo‘s record of seven in the featherweight division. Notably, he has remained undefeated in the division for nearly seven years, highlighting his remarkable consistency and skill.
Speaking after the fight, Volk exuded confidence, proclaiming himself as the division’s king and expressing his belief that no one can stop him. His impressive victory over Rodriguez further solidifies his status as one of the division’s greatest champions.
This bout marked Volkanovski’s first fight since his unanimous decision loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in February. While that loss ended his 22-fight winning streak, he returned with a statement win against Rodriguez, reaffirming his position as a dominant force in the featherweight division.
