Adesanya controlled round two and landed a series of kicks and body punches, creating separation with reach advantage. Gastherm landed the second remaining strong right jab at 3:20 as both fighters got engaged at a rapid pace in close proximity. Gastherum continues to put pressure on him as an attacker, forcing Adesanya into the fence and around the octagonal boundary with a barrage of punches. Adesanya connected with overhand lights, with 2:14 left in the round knocking down Gustherm, dealing the first damage of the battle. Adesanya controlled the rest of the round, holding Gastherum twice in the round and his reversed elbow, each in the evening in the score in one round. Adesanya continued to decide action throughout round three, replacing jabs, low kicks and continuous knee replacements with her body.
Gastherum opened the fourth round at Adesanya, picked up the pace and began the exchange in the center of the octagon. Adesanya locked his knees on his body 40 seconds after the round, followed by a right hook that took early control. Both fighters continued to exchange punches, moving around the inner octagonal circle and standing their toes up toe. Adesanya surprised Gastherum with a right jab with one minute left, but he responded with a high-left kick that surprised Israel, allowing Kelvin to apply pressure to close the round near the fence.
Adesanya was visibly swollen, her eyes cut, and she was taller at the beginning of the fifth, and the camera captured him, cheering for the final crowd in anticipation of the final beginning So I caught the camera. round.
The excitement continued in round five, giving both fighters everything they needed to secure the interim title. Both fighters continued to close punches and kicks, and Adesanya attempted a guillotine for 90 seconds into the round, with Gastherum rolling and quick takedown to a position mounted on top of him. Adesanya tried to secure the triangle from her back, but Gastherum slid down and both fighters rose as the entire crowd gave them a huge egg shape with three minutes remaining.
Gastherum continued to shake wildly, but Adesanya was now in control, avoiding the onslaught and defeating each attack on his own strike. Adesanya surprised Gastherum with a straight right with 2:20 minutes left, slowing down momentum and reestablishing the advantages of reach. Gastherum continued to put pressure on him, but Adesanya evaded all the attacks and continued to counter, securing a knockdown for the rest of the minute into the round. Adesanya landed several elbows and punches to close the round, knocking down the bloody Gastherum with 25 seconds left, closing the fight in a fully mounted position.
Adesanya recorded three knockdowns in the round. His four overall knockdowns were also the most ever in the UFC title fight.
Adesanya won the battle with a unanimous decision and became the new interim UFC middleweight champion. He was mid-6 months after beating Robert Whittaker via KO in the second round at the main event of UFC 243: Whittaker vs. Adesanya held at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia on October 6, 2019. Grade titles have been combined.
The match won several awards, including MMA Junkie and Fight of the Year honors from MMA Fighting.
To see this fight on UFC Fight Pass, visit https://ufcfightpass.com/video/95785.
For a complete list of UFC athletes and battles, visit ufchoffaq to see more details about the UFC Hall of Fame battles and UFC Hall of Fame format. For more information, please visit ufc.com.
