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Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, expressed surprise and a sense of being too young for his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

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At 35 years old, he reflected on this honor during a fitting ceremony for his Hall of Fame jacket, stating that he initially felt he was “too young to be in the Hall of Fame.”

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Israel Adesanya acknowledged the significance of the recognition, particularly because it was tied to his memorable interim title fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 in 2019.

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The Fight’s Significance The bout against Gastelum is celebrated as one of the greatest fights in UFC history, earning the prestigious Fight of the Year award in 2019. It showcased both fighters’ skills and determination over five intense rounds, culminating in a unanimous decision victory for Adesanya.

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The Fight’s Significance This fight marked the beginning of a significant title run for him, contributing to his legacy within mixed martial arts (MMA). Adesanya’s acknowledgment that it takes two to create such memorable moments highlights his respect for Gastelum and the competitive spirit they shared during that match.

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Legacy Considerations While Adesanya is currently experiencing a challenging phase in his career with three consecutive losses from 2023 to 2025, including defeats by Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and Nassourdine Imavov, his overall achievements remain impressive.

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Legacy Considerations With a record of 24 wins and 5 losses in MMA and an extensive background in kickboxing with 75 wins out of 80 fights, he has solidified his status as one of the top fighters in combat sports history.

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Adesanya induction into the Hall of Fame recognizes not just his recent struggles but also his past accomplishments and contributions to the sport.

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Israel Adesanya feels that he is too young for such an honor at this stage in his career, it is clear that his legacy—especially highlighted by iconic fights like that against Kelvin Gastelum—has earned him a rightful place among UFC legends.

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Israel Adesanya Confesses Being Too Young For UFC Hall Of Fame Induction