A comet streaks across the mixed martial arts sky every so often and alters the landscape of the sport forever. Israel Adesanya serves as a prime example.
The New Zealand-based Nigerian kickboxer entered the Ultimate Fighting Championship a little more than two years ago as an unbeaten but unproven commodity. Adesanya has since rattled off eight consecutive victories, improved to 19-0 overall and ascended to the top of the 185-pound weight class, his stock rising with each performance inside the Octagon. The 30-year-old City Kickboxing star last fought at UFC 248 on March 7, when he retained the undisputed middleweight championship with a unanimous decision over 2000 Olympic silver medalist Yoel Romero.