5 reasons why Israel Adesanya’s run as a champion deserves respect

Due to his recent string of performances, Israel Adesanya's reputation as a champion has taken something of a hit. The Nigerian-born New Zealander has been criticized for his low-risk style and apparent lack of urgency in finishing his foes. Since capturing UFC middleweight gold, he has only finished one opponent in five title defenses.

While there is some merit behind the notion that 'The Last Stylebender' has become a much safer fighter in recent years, his run as a champion deserves respect.

A portion of fight fans on the internet have expressed their desire to see him lose to longtime kickboxing rival Alex Pereira this Saturday at UFC 281. Many are hoping that a title win by 'Poatan' will lead to more exciting title fights at middleweight.

However, Israel Adesanya's accomplishments and the manner in which he has conducted himself as a UFC champion are almost unheard of in the modern-age.

This list takes all of these things into account as it compiles 5 reasons why 'The Last Stylebender' and his time as a champion, whether he wins or loses this weekend, deserves the utmost respect.

#5. Israel Adesanya has never avoided a matchup

Often-times, after a fighter captures their divisional title to enthrone themselves as a UFC champion, they come to understand one thing: they are in a strong negotiating position. The realization that UFC champions have leverage due to their status has led many to try dictating who they fight.

It is common for a UFC champion to call for matchups against foes who they consider to be more lucrative. This can lead to undeserving fighters earning title fights despite being on a losing streak. By opting to face less-deserving fighters, more deserving challengers are skipped over.

Israel Adesanya improves to 12-0 in the middleweight division following this win over Jared Cannonier.

This is the second longest streak at middleweight behind Anderson Silva (13-0) 🔥 https://t.co/9UPhjkEg0x

Even fan-favorite and former titleholder Charles Oliveira was guilty of doing so after hoping to face Conor McGregor—who is in a two-fight losing streak—instead of either Beneil Dariush or Islam Makhachev. Israel Adesanya, however, has never turned down a matchup in favor of another.

While 'The Last Stylebender' once expressed his interest in crossing swords with Jared Cannonier, he punctuated his wishes by reminding the world that 'The Killa Gorilla' needed to earn a title fight first. It is rare to find a champion like 'The Last Stylebender' who is willing to face everyone and doesn't pick and choose.

#4. He is lapping the division

Whether he did so as a defending champion or as a rising contender, Israel Adesanya faced a large number of the middleweight division's top contenders. Those who came within touching distance of the 185 lbs title have clashed with the former kickboxer.

Lapping the division 🔥

@stylebender | #UFC271 https://t.co/1LVFrImOqL

Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier and Yoel Romero are all victims of the Nigerian's championship success. Derek Brunson has the distinction of having fallen to 'The Last Stylebender' prior to his ascension to the divisional throne.

At UFC 281, Israel Adesanya will face Alex 'Poatan' Pereira, meaning he will have fought the top six fighters in the middleweight rankings. The only reason he is yet to fight Sean Strickland, Darren Till, Jack Hermansson and Andre Muniz is because they have either done nothing to earn a title fight or lost title eliminators.

#3. He has never pulled out of a fight

Israel Adesanya has never withdrawn himself from a scheduled bout. The Nigerian has never failed to make championship weight due to a failed weight cut. He has never suffered such a great injury that he opted against competing, nor has he ever failed a pre-fight drug test or faced legal issues that canceled his bouts.

‘I don’t pull out. My pullout game is weak’: Israel Adesanya has words for his middleweight rivals | themaclife.com/featured-posts… https://t.co/oocDewbx23

Instead, the former kickboxer has always made the walk to the octagon without incident. Regardless of what fans think of his personality or fighting style, 'The Last Stylebender' has never needed a short-term replacement. Like Conor McGregor, he main-evented several PPVs and never once withdrew from a bout.

It is a desirable quality to have a champion like Israel Adesanya, whom the UFC can trust to such an extent that they have never had to consider canceling a PPV or substituting him for someone else.

#2. He is the promotion's most active champion

Prior to becoming champions, fighters often expressed their frustrations with inactive titleholders. At times, fighters announce their intention to be active champions after capturing their division's title. Most of the time, however, new champions rarely live up to their claims.

As the UFC's most active champion, Israel Adesanya is a different breed. Francis Ngannou has only one title defense since dethroning Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title in March last year. Jiří Procházka only recently became the 205 lbs champion in June and is set to fight again in December.

We’re 18 days away from the return of Israel Adesanya

Since Izzy made his UFC debut in 2018, there’s rarely been a time where he doesn’t have a fight booked.

He’s the most active Champion in the sport. https://t.co/URmHvSAPVN

Leon Edwards has no title defenses yet, having recently captured the welterweight title, as is the case with lightweight kingpin Islam Makhachev. Even Alexander Volkanovski, one of the UFC's most active champions, has had only one year where he has defended his belt more than once.

Meanwhile, Israel Adesanya has averaged two title defenses per year since becoming the champion. Furthermore, by facing Alex Pereira this Saturday, the Nigerian will be taking part in his third title defense in 2022, which is more than any other champion in the UFC.

#1. His title defense record

Not since the days of Anderson Silva reigning over the middleweight division has the UFC's resident 185'ers dealt with a defending champion who seems all but unstoppable. The Brazilian great has ten title defenses to his name, more than any other UFC champion, past or present, not named Demetrious Johnson.

The first middleweight titleholder after 'The Spider' was Chris Weidman, who managed three successful title defenses. Unfortunately, the All-American's trio of title defenses came against aging foes like Vitor Belfort, Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva himself.

BREAKING: Israel Adesanya defeats Jared Cannonier and retains his UFC Middleweight Championship! 🏆 #UFC276 https://t.co/SNE0ZVz2zX

Not only were they past their prime, they also embarked on losing streaks soon after their losses. After Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold became the 185 lbs king but managed no title defense before losing the title to Michael Bisping. Bisping himself avoided Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker.

Instead, the Brit rematched a then 46-year old Dan Henderson, coming off one win. He then lost the title to a returning Georges St-Pierre, who mounted no title defense after relinquishing the title. In contrast, Israel Adesanya faced worthy contenders in their prime, amassing five successful title defenses, the second-most in UFC middleweight history.