By Akinwale Kasali
After three defeats in the hands of UFC Middleweight Belt, Brazilian Martial Artist, Alex Pereira, Nigerian-born New Zealander, Israel Adesanya knew that anything short of victory against his arch rival will relegate him in the UFC 287 Category.
It took ‘The Last Stylebender’, the moniker of Adesanya, less than 50 seconds to the end of the Fourth Round to knock out the Brazilian at the FTX Arena, Miami, Florida, United States of America.
The win over Pereira was Adesanya’s 24th in his career in mixed martial arts.
Following Adesanya’s victory, Nigeria’s Minister of Sport, Sunday Dare, congratulated him, saying that the UFC champion has demonstrated the ‘never say die’ attitude of the average Nigerian to get back what belongs to him.
He said: “Congratulations Israel, you are truly the last stylebender. You have shown that you are a real champion. This ‘never say die’ attitude has got you back your belt. Nigeria is proud of you.”
He also urged the new UFC Champion to continue to be a role model for the youth and an ambassador for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Nigeria which was recently recognised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in the country.
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