Wrestling World amazed by Israel Adesanya's tribute to The Undertaker at UFC 276
UFC star Israel Adesanya paid tribute to WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker while walking out to his fight against Jared Cannonier.
The Last Stylebender wore 'Taker's trademark cowboy hat, carried an urn with Cannonier's name on it, and walked out to a rendition of The Deadman's theme. Adesanya even made his way to the Octagon in the same brooding manner as The Undertaker.
Adesanya, the current UFC Middleweight Champion, successfully defended his title against Jared Cannonier, as he lasted all five rounds in a tense and physical fight.
BAH GAWD THAT'S THE UNDERTAKER'S MUSIC! 💀
@stylebender with another EPIC walkout! 🤌
#UFC276 https://t.co/aXXUp4v4lg
Following Adesanya's tribute to The Undertaker and his win, several members of the WWE Universe took to social media to give their reactions. There were also a few tweets from UFC fighters, such as Derek Brunson.
While most reactions were lighthearted, some had a little tone of sarcasm:
I was waiting for the breakdancing sh*t to start on the undertaker walkout 😂😂😂 well played . Gotta close tho ! #UFC276
Izzy walking out to Undertaker’s music!
And with the urn and hat too. It’s like the full walkout! Smoke and all. This is wild.
Also that’s JRC’s gimmick!
Israel Adesanya coming out as The Undertaker god damn WWE in the octagon tonight https://t.co/yWQ6dHfeqs
The Undertaker watching Israel Adesanya walk out at UFC 276 https://t.co/UFn9QTAGgc
Jessica-Rose Clark came out to HBK's theme, Izzy is doing the full Undertaker, and Vince McMahon and co. are in the building
MMA IS PRO WRESTLING #UFC276
The Rock, an avid MMA fan, congratulated Adesanya. He also congratulated Volkanovski and Holloway earlier in the night.
🏾
🏾
#UFC276No one like him.
Class by himself.
One of one.
Congrats my brother 👊🏾💪🏾
#andstill @stylebender
#UFC276 twitter.com/ufc/status/154…
Plus, Paige also marked out to Adesanya using The Undertaker's music for his entrance:
Side note. Adesanya using the undertakers music is making me mark out like crazy!!! @ufc
While WWE presented their Money in the Bank premium live event a few hours before UFC 276, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, and SmackDown commentator & analyst Pat McAfee attended the UFC fight. Both events were held in Paradise, Nevada. They were seated in the front row during Adesanya's 'Taker tribute and fight.
There were some interesting reactions on Twitter to that as well:
I need to see their reactions to watching Israel Adesanya's Undertaker inspired entrance
#UFC276 https://t.co/j55GVzDZm6
While the whole Arena is screaming. Vince is busy thinking how much to sue UFC for The Undertaker's theme song. #UFC276 https://t.co/1pZIHhlb4G
Israel Adesanya dissed Alex Pereira in the post-match interview
In the post-match interview, Israel Adesanya called out Alex Pereira, the champion's next opponent, before thanking his coaches and support team.
"We know who's next! Next time I put you on skates, you gonna get frozen like Elsa!"
@stylebender keeps his post-fight interview short and sweet and sends a message to Alex Pereira! 👀
#UFC276 https://t.co/zppqne1xW9
While Adesanya won the match, many felt it was perhaps his most lackluster performance. However, by the night's end, the UFC Middleweight Champion got the win with the scorecards reading 49-46, 49-46, 50-45 in his favor.
What are your thoughts on Izzy paying homage to The Undertaker at UFC 276? Would you like to see more MMA fighters referencing WWE? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below!