WATCH: The sensational “Question-mark” kick knockout that made UFC sign Stylebender Israel Adesanya


WATCH: The sensational “Question-mark” kick knockout that made UFC sign Stylebender Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya against Stuart Dare in 2017 (Image Courtesy - YouTube)

Israel Adesanya has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest ever to grace the UFC octagon. Curious to know what convinced the biggest promotion to sign “The Last Stylebender”? This video of him knocking out fighter Stuart Dare will answer your question.

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Israel Adesanya is undoubtedly one of the greatest mixed martial artists of this generation. The Nigerian-New Zealander made his debut for UFC back in 2017 and took only two years to become the champion of the division. Adesanya had all the skills to etch his name in combat sports history books. Let’s take a look at one of Adesanya’s most sensational knockouts in his career that helped him sign the dot to set foot inside the UFC octagon.

Adesanya’s kickboxing career is always mentioned when his name is brought up. However, his mixed martial arts career prior to the UFC needs a little mentioning. The last promotion, Adesanya fought for before the Ultimate Fighting Championship was Hex Fight Series. The fighter won the middleweight championship with an amazing knockout in the very first round. The Last Stylebender knocked out opponent Stuart Dare.

Israel Adesanya is known to get crafty with his striking. The video of him knocking out Stuart Dare at Hex Fight Series can be used as a teaching tool to help fighters learn the perfect question mark kick. A technique that very few can execute perfectly and Adesanya’s name definitely is up there with the best to ever pull that off.

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Read more: Watch: Israel Adesanya lists the essentials that get him through everyday life

Israel Adesanya’s glorious championship reign in the UFC

Israel Adesanya
Israel Adesanya (IMAGO / ZUMA Wire)

Israel Adesanya signed with UFC in December 2017 and made his debut at the beginning of 2018. His first opponent in the octagon was Rob Wilkinson at UFC 221. The Last Stylebender couldn’t have introduced himself in a better fashion to the world! Adesanya secured a TKO win in his very first fight and went on to win three more fights in his first year with UFC.

His performance in 2018 earned him a title fight against the greatest middleweight fighter of all time, Anderson Silva at UFC 234. The new UFC signee defeated Silva in a spectacular fight and fans believed this was the passing of the torch. In his next fight, he became the interim middleweight champion and then went on spark the undisputed champ Robert Whittaker at UFC 243 to become the new middleweight champ.

Also read: “Bring him back” – Israel Adesanya claims he would still be champion if infamous referee Steve Mazzagatti was at Alex Pereira fight

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In just a year, Adesanya became the champion and went on to dominate the division for the next three years until he met his nemesis, Alex Pereira, recently in 2022. His first loss in his UFC middleweight career and the fighter is determined to win his belt back in a potential rematch against “Poatan”. Where do you rank Adesanya among the greatest middleweights of all time?

Also read: “Worst thing I’ve heard from you” – Joe Rogan clowned by Henry Cejudo for claiming Alex Pereira is best combat sports athlete of all time