In a touching display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, former rivals Israel Adesanya and Kevin Gastelum shared a heartfelt moment at UFC 290. The two fighters, who previously engaged in an intense battle for the interim middleweight title, set aside their past rivalry and embraced each other in a wholesome gesture.
The heartwarming scene unfolded as Adesanya attended the event to support his teammate Alexander Volkanovski, while Gastelum was also present as a spectator.
Israel Adesanya and Kevin Gastelum’s hearty interaction
The MMA community has been captivated by the touching reunion between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum. The two fighters famously clashed in a legendary battle for the interim UFC middleweight title at UFC 236 in 2019, a fight that is still revered as one of the greats in MMA history. Gastelum had Adesanya in trouble with a head kick, but Adesanya’s diverse striking arsenal eventually led him to victory via unanimous decision.
At UFC 290, held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Adesanya and Gastelum unexpectedly crossed paths. They embraced and expressed their mutual respect, capturing the moment in photographs. Adesanya openly expressed his pride in Gastelum, acknowledging his opponent’s resilience during their memorable encounter. Gastelum reciprocated the sentiment, praising Adesanya’s accomplishments as the reigning middleweight champion.
This fight game is a golden thread that binds us together forever! Respect Is earned for life. @stylebender thank you for inspiring so many including myself. 🙏👊 pic.twitter.com/QDpIbppPuZ
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) July 9, 2023
Gastelum shared a video of their interaction on Twitter, sparking excitement and nostalgia among MMA fans. Some lightheartedly speculated that Adesanya’s emotional display may have been influenced by external factors, while others commended both fighters for their exemplary sportsmanship and labeled them as true gentlemen.
Israel Adesanya and Kevin Gastelum’s rivalry in UFC
Israel Adesanya and Kevin Gastelum’s rivalry in the UFC has been one for the books. Their paths crossed at UFC 236 in April 2019, where they battled it out for the interim UFC middleweight title. The fight turned into an instant classic, with both fighters showcasing their exceptional skills and heart inside the Octagon.
Gastelum came close to victory, landing a head kick that rocked Adesanya. However, Adesanya’s resilience and diverse striking arsenal partially helped him to weather the storm and turn the tide in his favor. The fight went the distance, with Adesanya ultimately emerging as the victor via unanimous decision.
Since their epic fight, The Last Stylebender has gone on to become the undisputed UFC middleweight champion, while Gastelum has struggled to maintain his top position. While their rivalry seems to have cooled down, tit could reignite again should Kelvin start getting closer to the middleweight gold.
