WATCH: Israel Adesanya Works on Jiu-Jitsu Skills in New Video

Israel Adesanya is one of the best strikers the UFC has ever seen. Before joining the UFC, Adesanya was a world champion kickboxer. He has brought those attributes into the octagon and used them to devastating effect.

However, MMA is not kickboxing, and it requires a much more well-rounded fighting style. Striking alone isn’t enough, it has to be mixed with a combination of a solid ground game with jiu-jitsu and wrestling.

Having faced the best the UFC middleweight division could offer, Izzy still has not met his equal. But a true champion is always evolving, constantly developing, and Adesanya has taken it to heart.

Adesanya recently took to social media to showcase how he develops his skills outside of the octagon.

“One goal… Suck less at jiu-jitsu every day,” the middleweight champion tweeted. Adesanya showed his fans a variety of submissions and takedown drills to improve his jiu-jitsu game.

Stylebender is currently undefeated in his career and 9-0 in the UFC. He has faced the best of the division and beaten them all, but this is not enough for the champ.

Israel Adesanya moving up to light heavyweight

Recently confirmed by UFC president Dana White, negotiations are on the way for a potential super fight. Adesanya and his camp seem to be heading to the light heavyweight division to challenge Jan Blachowicz.

Blachowicz won the light heavyweight title vacated by Jon Jones, defeating Dominick Reyes. Jones and Izzy have been calling each other out for over a year now. However, with Jones moving up to heavyweight, it seems that Stylebender sees this as the optimum time to move up to light heavyweight.

A win over Blachowicz would put Izzy in an illustrious group of two division champions in the UFC. A feat accomplished only by Conor McGregor, Amanda Nunes, Henry Cejudo, and Daniel Cormier.

Having met no equal at middleweight, Adesanya has been very methodical with his move up to 205. While a lot of fighters such as Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith have seen their stock go up with their move to light heavyweight, neither of them were champions.

Adesanya will make his first step into the 205 division to challenge Blachowicz. The polish knockout artist has been revitalized since losing to Thiago Santos by going on a four-fight win streak, including capturing the title in the process.

While Adesanya may already be a massive star in the UFC, winning the light heavyweight title would push Stylebender to superstar status on a global scale.

Read : Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya Says Demetrious Johnson is the Greatest of All Time