Pros Including Robert Whittaker React to Thriller Between Israel Adesanya and Kevlin Gastelum at UFC 236

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Israel Adesanya UFC
Israel Adesanya Credit: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com

The pros, including middleweight champ Robert Whittaker, had plenty to say about Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum in the UFC 236 co-main event.

“And new…” was set to be called out twice Saturday night at UFC 236 in Atlanta, GA. Max Holloway faced Dustin Poirier in the main event, with interim lightweight gold on the line. Before that, Kelvin Gastelum took on Israel Adesanya for middleweight interim gold — and what a thriller they put on.

Five full rounds were chock full of knockdowns, back-and-forth action, and plenty of surprises. First and foremost, that Gastelum chose to stand and trade with ‘The Last Stylebender’ early — looking good doing so. Adesanya was rocked in the first. It would not be the only time. Gastelum clearly had a game plan.

But as the first wore on, Adesanya’s striking prowess gave him the edge. The fifth and final round had Adesanya dropping and nearly finishing Kelvin Gastelum. When it went to the scorecards, it was close, but not too close. A unanimous decision win for Israel Adesanya, in the toughest fight of his MMA career to date.

Robert Whittaker, the UFC’s undisputed middleweight champion, now awaits. That fight has the potential to be another classic for ‘The Last Stylebender.’ Before we get there, however, let’s see the pros react to UFC 236’s co-main event.

But Wait, There’s More!

Umm…

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