UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya on Sunday successfully defended his title for the third time with an impressive unanimous decision win over Italy’s Marvin Vettori at the Gila River Arena in Arizona, USA.
The Nigerian dominated Vettori from start to finish in their second meeting and though he was taken down on several occasions, he tactfully untangled himself.
The 31-year-old had vowed to have a stoppage win in round two, but was pushed the whole 25 minutes by Vettori but won 50-45 on all of the judges cards as he walked out of the Octagon with the belt strapped around his waist.
American actor and retired professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson, also known by his ring name The Rock, congratulated Adesanya in an Instagram post after he got a surprise from the UFC fighter.
He wrote, “Helluva cool surprise as my boy @UFC Middleweight King @stylebender 🐐 plays my ring music ‘Electrifying’ after his dominant win tonight in the octagon.
“You’re right I did NOT know about this but I appreciate the love and congratulations on your WIN!!
“Proud of you Uso and like we talked about, we never just want to play in the game ~ we want to change the way the game is played.”
He added, “Keep raising the bar and CHANGING THE GAME. Go celebrate, you’ve earned it – cheat meals baby!!!”
The victory meant Adesanya’s return to winning ways after his loss to Poland’s Jan Blachowicz in an attempt to add the light heavyweight title to his collection in March.
