UFC: DABIRI-EREWA HAILS ADESANYA FOR RETAINING TITLE
Oru Leonard
Winner of the Unified Fighting Championship (UFC), Middleweight Category, Nigerian Diaspora, Israel Adesanya has retained his title beating Robert Whittaker in a unanimous decision 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 at the Toyota Sports Centre, Houston-Texas, USA.
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, (NiDCOM), Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa in a statement by Mr Gabriel Odu of Media, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the Commission, congratulated Israel Adesanya for the giant strides by defeating his arch-opponent Robert Whittaker for the second time to retain title.
The NiDCOM Boss described Adesanya’s performance as a true reflection of the resilience, passion, dedication and commitment of Nigerians both at home and in Diaspora.
She urged him to sustain the momentum and win more laurels for Nigeria.
It could be recalled that Israel Adesanya took on Robert Whittaker in 2019 in Melbourne, Australia through a knock-out.
Saturday’s fight is Adesanya’s Flfourth title Defence after defeats against Yoel Romero, Paolo Costa and Marvin Vettori, respectively.
Recall that Adesanya emerged victorious in their first fight at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia in 2019 to claim the middleweight title
During the fight Adesanya scored a thunderous second-round knockout of Whittaker in Melbourne, Australia to claim the title in October 2019 to cap an amazing run in just his seventh fight with the promotion.
Whittaker rebounded with three straight victories to earn a second shot against Adesanya after his brief stay atop the division. Adesanya is 3-1 since their first meeting with the lone defeat coming in a failed attempt to earn a second title at light heavyweight against Jan Blachowicz.
