Israel Adesanya might have had some sub-par and boring fights lately, but before he became champion, Izzy was ready to die inside the octagon against Kelvin Gastelum.
The Stylebender’s rise through the ranks of the UFC to ultimately become the undisputed middleweight champion was full of dominating performances against all but one, Kelvin Gastelum.
The fight against Kelvin is arguably his toughest fight in MMA, and it is for sure his most entertaining one yet. The brutal war left the usually elusive Adesanya bloodied and swollen.
He was close to getting knocked out quite a few times during the fight. Izzy also did a number on Gastelum as well. But what caught everyone’s eye was the fact that Izzy was mouthing something to his opponent. The now viral video shows Israel saying to Gastelum, “You won’t beat me, I am ready to die here.”
It was later revealed by him on the Joe Rogan podcast that he had signed his own death warrant in there because he was ready to die and take his opponent down with him. This champion mentality eventually helped Adesanya win the fight and a earn shot at the then-champion, Robert Whittaker.
Israel Adesanya would go on to win the belt and subsequently defend it many times, most recently against Jared Cannonier. But signing a death warrant inside the octagon has gotten Adesanya this far in his MMA career.
