From the moment his UFC journey began, Israel Adesanya has been the author of his own story. Every fight, every performance, every leap in the rankings has seemed to unfold exactly as he said it would, as if he had spoken it into existence. With his prediction of becoming the undisputed champ in Australia, the story truly has the feeling of having come full circle.
Anyone looking to dismiss his meteoric rise as a fluke is singing a different tune after his performance at Marvel Stadium this weekend. Robert Whittaker was as aggressive and crisp as we’ve ever witnessed, but Adesanya was able to carefully select his killshot in the middle of the onslaught, and the audience audibly gasped as a heavy left hand ended the nine-fight win streak and championship reign of Bobby Knuckles.