Legendary Israel Adesanya fight against Kelvin Gastelum inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
Israel Adesanya has officially etched his name into UFC immortality after his fight with Kelvin Gastelum was announced as the latest bout to be inducted into the company's Hall of Fame.
The title fight between the two contenders was the co-main event of UFC 236 in April of 2019 for the interim middleweight title — a card that was headlined by Dustin Poirier taking down Max Hollaway for the interim lightweight crown.
Adesanya and Gastelum went to war in that bout, putting on a spectacular five-round fight that ended in the Kiwi winning via unanimous decision — the beginning of an historic title reign.
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The fight was an instant classic and put two of the prospects on the map for fight fans around the world, while sending Adesanya into UFC stardom.
Although Adesanya was living the highs of the Hall of Fame induction on Sunday, it was only two weeks ago when the former champion was handed his fourth defeat in five bouts.
Reflecting on the rollercoaster two weeks, Adesanya admitted he wouldn't want to re-write history and expressed gratitude for the big moments he'd had.
Kelvin Gastelum (left) and Israel Adesanya exchange strikes in UFC 236. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
"Honestly, I wouldn't change anything, hey," Adesanaya told media at UFC 312.
"The chance to be able to feel these moments ... Regardless, it's always making history.
"I'm making history even when I lose and I'm grateful to even Nassourdine Imavov … [because] he shot a fair one, he beat me, and then, cool, we move forward to the next one.
"I was grateful that I didn't come out hurt, grateful that my family came to support me, I had to take them somewhere like Dubai and hang out with my siblings.
"I think people again expect you to react the way they react, but they don't understand you haven't done what I've done, so we're not the same.
"I was grateful for that moment, grateful for the week and I'm grateful for tonight as well."
Israel Adesanya (right) is declared victorious. Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
After the announcement at UFC 312, Adesanaya was captured on the phone with former foe Gastelum.
He opened up on what was said.
"We were just sharing pleasantries and saying thank you again," Adesanaya said.
"It's not just me; it's me and him in that fight. And what an opponent. Leading up to it, it was cool, respectful, there was a little bit of jibber-jabber back and forth, but it was just gameness.
"When it came down to it he was f---ing game. He came for me, he tried to take my head off. I think it was the first time I had been rocked in the UFC in that first round."
