Later this year, Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum’s historic five-round fight at UFC 236 will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing, according to an official announcement from the UFC. This fight, which is widely considered to be among the best in middleweight history, saw both fighters test their mettle in a memorable battle for the interim title.

A Battle for the Ages

Adesanya and Gastelum faced up for the interim UFC Middleweight Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 13, 2019. The match had enormous stakes because the winner would go on to unify the championship, and the current champion Robert Whittaker was out due to injury.

An immediate classic ensued as both competitors displayed exceptional heart, toughness, and striking. Gastelum got off to a great start, hitting hard shots and even knocking Adesanya down early on. But “The Last Stylebender” adapted and showed off his amazing talent, surviving the storm and dominating the championship rounds.

The Defining Fifth Round

The fight was quite tight going into the fifth and final round. However, Adesanya persevered and produced one of the most impressive final rounds in UFC history. He nearly finished Gastelum before the last horn sounded, knocking him down many times.

The iconic statement “I’m ready to die” that Adesanya made in between rounds, indicating his unwavering will, perfectly encapsulated his warrior mentality.

The Aftermath and Legacy

After winning the interim title by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46), Adesanya went on to unify the title against Robert Whittaker at UFC 243. His reputation as one of the division’s greatest fighters was solidified by that fight.

Despite the defeat, everyone respected Gastelum’s performance. He demonstrated his elite caliber by applying constant pressure and being able to compete with Adesanya.

A Deserving Hall of Fame Induction

Alongside some of the best fights in MMA history, the Adesanya vs. Gastelum fight will be officially inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing. The fight is a perfect example of the sport’s unique qualities: exceptional talent, tenacity, and heart.

Fans will view this five-round masterpiece as a genuine testament to both fighters’ fighting spirit as the Hall of Fame event draws near.