This was Israel Adesanya’s coming out party tonight at UFC 230. The elite striker went in there against a very accomplished wrestler in Derek Brunson, and he passed the test in spades. Brunson whiffed on many takedown attempts until Adesanya hurt and eventually finished Brunson late in the first round.
You can check out the play-by-play and watch the highlights below.
Round 1 - Adesanya moving forward. Outside leg kick. Brunson in on his legs immediately. He switched to a body lock and backed Adesanya to the cage. Brunson grabs Adeanya’s shorts, and Adesanya complains. He flips Brunson off. Herb Dean separates them and they restart in the middle. Brunson scoops a single but can’t get anything. He comes right back in and they clinch again. Brunson with a left as Adesanya tries to escape. Brunson literally tries to dive on his ankles as he gets away. Back in the center again. Adesanya with a straight right. Adesanya stuffs a takedown attempt. Outside leg kick from Adesanya. Question mark kick. Brunson changes levels nicely but he still can’t get Adesanya to the floor. Adesanya scrambles away and lands a big knee! Brunson is stunned! Knee and a head kick and Brunson goes down again! He’s back up and lands a left. Adesanya with an accurate shot and Brunson is down again! Finally Herb Dean steps in, even though Brunson wasn’t out. He didn’t protest the stoppage.
Israel Adesanya defeated Derek Brunson via TKO (strikes), 4:51 of round 1