MMA: Israel Adesanya Retains UFC Middleweight Belt

Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow

Opposed to the Cuban Yoel Romero in Las Vegas, the Nigerian Israel Adesanya won in points at UFC 248, Saturday March 7. The middleweight world champion retains his title after a fight which turned out to be disappointing. The two fighters wiped the boos of an audience frustrated by the proposed spectacle.

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And eight! It's now eight straight wins for Israel Adesanya at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world's largest mixed martial arts (MMA) league, and 18 wins for no defeat in any organization. Faced with Yoel Romero, the Nigerian won on Saturday March 7. But if he retains the title of unanimous UFC middleweight champion gleaned last October, Israel Adesanya has certainly not signed the best fight of his life. Far from it.

A dull fight

Opposed to the Cuban wrestling specialist and formidable on the ground, the champion had everything for him before the start of the fight: youth - he is 30 years old while Romero will soon be 43 years old - length and size - he measures 1 , 93m against 1.82 for Romero -, the belt ... Only here: his opponent, with his experience, presented himself in the octagon with a plan. And instead of a violent fight with furious exchanges, the public was treated to an unpleasant tactical opposition.

Yoel Romero, compact with a high guard, has left no opening. Israel Adesanya, attentive, did not take any risk and was content to dominate in the number of strokes with low kicks repeated tirelessly (strokes on the legs). Very quickly, spectators booed the two fighters, especially since the previous fights of the evening were much more pleasant to follow.

Israel Adesanya versus Yoel Romero at UFC 248 in Las Vegas on March 7, 2020. Stephen R. Sylvanie / Reuters

Adesanya says she " did the right thing to win "

Rare fact: at the start of the 4th round, the referee even lectured Adesanya and Romero to encourage them to fight more! But everyone has camped on their position. The Cuban did not deliver. The Nigerian did not do better and dodged the rare accelerations of his opponent. He knew his tactics paid off: his low kicks gave him a little advantage, and as a champion belt holder, it was not for him to be enterprising.

Thus at the end of the five rounds of five minutes each, the judges unanimously gave the points victory to Israel Adesanya. The discontented public booed. The champion, stung to the heart, responded with a finger of honor. At the microphone, the one we call "The Last Stylebender" recognized " a difficult fight " but was pragmatic. “ I did what I had to do to win the fight. Look at his legs. The legs don't lie. I screwed up his leg, "he said, pointing to his limping challenger.

👑 Still the king. # UFC248 pic.twitter.com/nb4AD6ZwPN

Meeting with Costa

Yoel Romero, more applauded by the T-Mobile Arena, did not dismount when he came to speak on the microphone. " Is that the champion?" A true champion would have remained in the center of the octagon to wage war. People paid to see a real fight, not for that, not for racing! If you want to see people running, go see Usain Bolt! "

Finally, there was more spectacle in words than in combat. This does not detract from the victory of Israel Adesanya, not flamboyant at all but logical. The Nigerian is now expecting the Brazilian Paulo Costa (13 wins including 11 by knockout in 13 fights, including 5 UFC wins). " Costa, see you soon, boy!" He launched before leaving the octagon.

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