Israel Adesanya, known globally as ‘The Last Stylebender,’ has cemented his legacy as one of the most dynamic strikers ever to grace the UFC Octagon. His transition from elite kickboxing to mixed martial arts (MMA) resulted in a rapid ascent to two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, showcasing a level of technical precision rarely seen in the cage.
However, behind the narrative of seamless success lies a moment of profound professional resentment—a kickboxing defeat that Adesanya claims was fundamentally “crooked.” This pivotal moment, a failed title bid in 2017, didn`t just mark the end of one chapter; it arguably laid the foundational frustration necessary for the beginning of his unparalleled UFC journey.
The Los Angeles Verdict: A Title Denied
Before his dominant run in the UFC, Adesanya was a prominent figure in Glory Kickboxing. His career culminated in a challenge for the middleweight championship against then-titleholder Jason Wilnis at Glory 37 in Los Angeles. The contest went the distance, concluding in a unanimous decision victory for Wilnis. While official records stand, Adesanya recently revealed that the loss carries an indelible sting of injustice.
In a candid Q&A session, Adesanya asserted that the promotion actively favored the incumbent champion, leading to a biased decision. “With Glory though, I just felt they screwed me out of a world title because they wanted the Dutch guy to win,” Adesanya stated. Wilnis, being Dutch, represented a local preference in the eyes of the challenger, suggesting that institutional politics superseded performance in the ring.
The sentiment highlights a common complaint within combat sports: the vulnerability of international challengers competing against hometown favorites, often leading to decisions shrouded in the shadow of regional bias.
The Irony of Injustice
For Adesanya, this perceived injustice was not a minor inconvenience; it was the final blow to his relationship with the kickboxing organization. He admitted to harboring a lasting “salty” feeling, confessing, “you know me, I’m a petty guy, so I hold grudges.”
Yet, this setback was perhaps the greatest unintentional career boon imaginable. Had Adesanya won the Glory middleweight belt, he might have been compelled to remain in kickboxing, defending a title for a promotion he felt had already betrayed him. Instead, the loss provided the clean, bitter break necessary to pivot entirely to MMA, signing with the UFC in 2018.
It is a compelling paradox: the very moment Adesanya felt unjustly denied his greatest kickboxing achievement became the precise turning point that allowed him to secure far greater global acclaim in the UFC. His rapid acquisition of the UFC title confirmed that the raw, devastating striking skills that were undervalued in the kickboxing ring translated directly into MMA dominance.
The New Crossover Trend: Rico Verhoeven`s Potential UFC Shift
Adesanya`s reflective commentary also touched upon another former Glory champion considering the move to the UFC: heavyweight king Rico Verhoeven. The potential crossover of elite kickboxers to the highest level of MMA continues to be a hot topic, especially given the success of both Adesanya and his longtime kickboxing rival, Alex Pereira, who followed a similar path.
When asked about Verhoeven`s viability in the Octagon, Adesanya offered insight based on personal experience. He recalled sparring with the massive heavyweight while preparing Anthony Johnson for a fight against Jon Jones, noting the distinct difference in weight class dynamics.
“He might not remember. He was a heavyweight, I was a middleweight. I could touch him but it wasn`t really doing anything, he was just moving me around,” Adesanya recounted.
Despite the size disparity during their training session, Adesanya maintains optimism about Verhoeven`s prospects, suggesting the heavyweight has been diligently preparing for a multi-disciplinary challenge.
“He’s been training MMA for a while. Just because some people kickbox and specialize in kickboxing doesn’t mean they’re not doing other disciplines as well. I think he’s been very well-versed in mixed martial arts so we’ll find out.”
A Verhoeven transition would further validate the pipeline from Glory to the UFC, turning the kickboxing promotion into an unofficial proving ground for future MMA striking specialists—a fascinating development given Adesanya’s earlier grievances against the organization. The path carved by “The Last Stylebender,” though rooted in a controversial kickboxing loss, has undoubtedly cleared the way for the next generation of striking superstars to test the limits of combat sports.
Adesanya concluded his remarks by tempering his criticism with a dose of gratitude, acknowledging that Glory was a “great organization for kickboxing” that ultimately “put me on the map.” It’s the complicated appreciation of a professional who acknowledges the platform provided, even if the final curtain call was marked by sour notes. The loss he couldn`t forgive, however, became the engine of the legendary career he could have only dreamed of.
Rupert Hartwell