“That was crazy,” Israel Adesanya left in awe as boxing legend Roberto Duran acknowledges him

Israel Adesanya reacts ecstatically in presence of boxing legend Roberto Duran. Multiple legends from boxing and MMA attended the crossover boxing bout.

“That was crazy,” Israel Adesanya left in awe as boxing legend Roberto Duran acknowledges him

Israel Adesanya and Roberto Duran (Source: IMAGO)

UFC fighter Israel Adesanya attended the Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury boxing match along with other celebrities in Saudi Arabia. Fellow MMA stars and legends, including Frank Mir, Junior dos Santos, Randy Couture, and Conor McGregor, also attended the event. Legendary boxer Roberto Duran came to attend the event as well. Duran was the multi-division lineal boxing champion for many years. In the latest interaction, Adesanya was awestruck out of proportion on meeting the legend.

Speaking to Oscar Willis of The MacLife on his potential return, Adesanya also touched point on the experience at the matchup site itself. Speaking of Duran, he said:

Yeah, that was crazy! Like even the fact that he knew me. I was like - It was amazing. And also I had to take my time and chill...I am grateful for this life, and I will never ever take it for granted. Even though I have, in the past.
Israel Adesanya via The MacLife
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Roberto Duran held titles worldwide as a lightweight, welterweight, junior-middleweight, and middleweight champion. During the pinnacle of his career, Durán reigned one of the best combatants of the 20th century. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007. Adesanya expressed his contentment to remain in the company of such legends.

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Adesanya also shed light on his rumored retirement. Fans and even CEO Dana White anticipated Adesanya to return for an immediate rematch after UFC 293. Sean Strickland defeated him and outclassed him at UFC 293. The title match was dubbed one of the biggest and sudden upsets in the sport. However, White declared the winner of Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev (UFC 294) the top contender after being alerted to Adesanya’s plans of no return. When Willis asked Adesanya about a potential return in 2024, Adesanya put forward 2027 as a sure estimate.

Israel Adesanya feels blessed to be amongst the best in the world

The year’s most highly sought-after heavyweight fight took place in Riyadh. Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou squared off from inside the Boulevard Hall in Saudi Arabia. The lineal boxing heavyweight champion and the MMA heavyweight meet for a 10-round boxing matchup. The event has naturally garnered the best flock of celebrities gathered all together.

Israel Adesanya is awe-struck after shaking hands with Eminem.
Israel Adesanya is awe-struck after shaking hands with Eminem. (Source: X/Twitter)

The event had an array of guests and patrons. It consisted of big names like international singer Eminem and Cristiano Ronaldo. Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya was one of the celebrities who attended the event and the pre-fight gala dinner. Standing at 24-3-0, the fighter is currently on a hiatus after his skid at UFC 293 to Sean Strickland. After the gala dinner, talking to X, Adesanya wrote:

In a room full of Living LEGENDS! To be invited by @turkialalshik (IG) and dine with these guys is a blessing. Can’t believe I didn’t wanna get off my couch hahaha. I’m just a fan of this game, who became a champion and will be a Legend too one day. Grateful for this life always.

In light of the combative sports promotion nearing its 30-year anniversary, a new list has been publicized. Adesanya is also in on it as one of the top #30 fighters of all time within UFC. He was ranked #16 by The MMA Junkie.

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