Is it too soon to enshrine Israel Adesanya’s 2019 title fight against Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC Hall of Fame? Earlier this month, despite being on a three-fight losing streak, Izzy cemented his place in UFC history with his induction into the Hall of Fame at UFC 312. The announcement came during the promotion’s event in Sydney, Australia, honoring his unforgettable interim title bout against Gastelum. A fight that delivered non-stop action, with each round surpassing the last, it showcased both fighters at their absolute best.

In the end, the Nigerian-Kiwi secured a unanimous decision victory, extending his win streak to six, and earning the prestigious 2019 Fight of the Year award. However, the landscape has shifted for the 35-year-old Israel Adesanya. No longer the dominant force he once was, he has suffered three consecutive losses between 2023 and 2025, falling to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and most recently, Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Despite his recent struggles, Izzy expressed both excitement and surprise upon learning of his Hall of Fame induction.

Reflecting on the honor in a YouTube video during UFC 312, Izzy shared his reaction while being fitted for his Hall of Fame jacket: “The fitting is for my UFC Hall of Famer jacket—one of—I think, probably two or three, we’ll see. Yeah, still shocked, surprised. I feel good. I feel like it’s fitting, but at first I was like thinking, ‘No, I’m too young to be in the Hall of Fame.’ But for the fight, so I’ll take it. That was a classic.”

Despite his recent struggles, Israel Adesanya remains one of the youngest fighters to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing. Out of the 10 fights recognized in this category, he joins a rare group of elite fighters honored at a relatively young age. Only Jon Jones shares this distinction; he was 34 when the UFC inducted his legendary bout against Alexander Gustafsson in 2021.

At just 35, Izzy’s career appears to be in decline, resembling a fading star. Yet, his legacy remains firmly intact. With an impressive 75 wins in 80 kickboxing fights and a 24-5 MMA record, his achievements speak volumes. Multiple championship reigns further solidify his status in combat sports history—an accolade even his toughest rivals cannot dispute.

Dricus Du Plessis shared his honest take on Israel Adesanya’s legacy

Despite their intense rivalry, Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya finally clashed in a highly anticipated title fight at UFC 305 in Australia last year. In a dramatic showdown, Du Plessis successfully defended his championship against the Nigerian-born-Kiwi, denying him the chance to reclaim his former glory. Adding to the setback, Du Plessis handed Izzy one of the first submission losses of his career, securing a rear-naked choke that left the MMA community divided. While some believed Adesanya had nothing left to prove, others insisted he needed to reclaim the title to solidify his legacy.

‘Stillknocks’, however, aligned with the first perspective. Following his victory over Sean Strickland at UFC 312, he briefly crossed paths with Israel Adesanya and didn’t hesitate to offer the former champion his due respect. Speaking to him backstage, Du Plessis praised Izzy, saying, “I don’t know if you heard, but I said in the media, you have Anderson Silva status. You don’t have to worry about anything else.”

Nassourdine Imavov, who recently handed Israel Adesanya his latest knockout loss, echoed similar sentiments. Taking to X, Imavov honored the Nigerian-Kiwi with a heartfelt message: “Nothing but respect! Proud to have shared the octagon with such a legend.” What are your thoughts on Adesanya’s remarks? Do you think it was too soon for the UFC to induct him into the Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing? Feel free to share your opinion below.