UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya captured his title in the most spectacular fashion and his pre-fight antics only added to the legendary win.
'The Last Stylebender' faced Robert Whittaker in front of 57,127 at Melbourne's Marvel Stadium, which remains the biggest UFC crowd of all time, in 2019.
Adesanya impressed the 57,000-strong crowd with his pre-fight dance moves
Ahead of the biggest fight of his life at UFC 243, Adesanya was preparing for victory but also working on a dance that he showcased during his ring walk.
The 32-year-old wowed the packed stadium when he performed a choreographed routine, that included an acrobatic aerial cartwheel, before entering the octagon.
It was a high-risk move, as if he had lost against Whittaker, he would've been inundated with abuse for not taking the fight seriously and dancing when he should've been training for his biggest fight to date.
In reality, Adesanya's dance routine only added to one of the most complete performances in UFC history and made him a superstar.
'Stylebender' was super confident heading into his first UFC title fight
With good reason, as he quickly stopped Whittaker
The former kickboxer dominated Whittaker, dropping him at the end of round one before spectacularly knocking him out in round two.
The New Zealander remains the UFC middleweight champion and has made several impressive defences against the likes of Marvin Vettori, Paulo Costa, Yoel Romero and he even beat 'The Reaper' for a second time.
Despite all that, he still looks back at his title win as the best moment of his career.
"It's unreal. It's nothing like you've ever felt before. I'm glad to be a part of a few privileged [people] on this planet that was able to experience that. I know it was in your hometown, I beat your boy. I'm sorry, not sorry," Adesanya recently said of UFC 243.
Adesanya is thankful for his UFC 243 experience
The 32-year-old left the Octagon the same way he entered it - dancing
Adesanya claimed to feel on top of the world after performing his dance routine and that confidence carried into one of the most impressive title-winning performances of all time.
"It's all energy. I walked out there. I did my dance, I was feeling confident, I was feeling bada** and I knew I was poking some bears in enemy territory," he said.
"To go out there and showcase what I did, it's unreal. It's one of those moments, not just in my career, but in my life, I would never ever forget and it's with me forever."
The UFC fan favourite is hoping to create another life-long memory when he steps back into the octagon to defend his title once again on July 2.
Adesanya is set to face off against top 185lb contender Jared Cannonier at UFC 276 and has promised to be on top form on the night, even predicting a knockout similar to the one Anderson Silva scored in 2009.
The full UFC 276 fight card has been announced
UFC legend Silva was at his elusive best when he fought at Forrest Griffin in 2009
"This is going to be spectacular. Think UFC 101, Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin. Like, I'm just going to be in the zone. I don't care. Stay tuned," 'Stylebender' said on his YouTube channel.
That'll be easier said than done against one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet. Cannonier used to compete against and knock out UFC fighters at heavyweight before slimming down and finding his best form at middleweight.
Cannonier gets a well deserved title shot at UFC 276
'The Killa Gorrilla' has won five of his last six fights, picking up stoppage wins over the likes of 'The Spider', Darren Till's next opponent, Jack Hermansson, and the last man to beat the Englishman, Derek Brunson
If victorious against Cannonier, Adesanya may finally get the chance to avenge his most famous loss, which came against Alex Pereira in his kickboxing days.
The man who viciously knocked him out is fighting against Sean Strickland on the UFC 276 undercard and whoever wins that fight is believed to be next in line for a title shot.
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