Israel Adesanya remains undefeated in mixed martial arts after overcoming his biggest challenge yet.
Israel Adesanya after his unanimous decision win over Brazil's Anderson Silva. Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
The New Zealand fighter has beaten his idol, Brazilian legend Anderson Silva, by unanimous decision in UFC 234 in Melbourne.
The judges have scored the three-round middleweight fight 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 in favour of the man known as 'The Last Style Bender'.
"This is crazy," Adesanya said.
"This is like for a kid just to play, if I'm playing basketball, to play against Michael Jordan.
"This is it for me...and I do it against the best."
"It was cool, just a cool experience and I said after the fight everyone else plays it on EA Sports and I get to play it in real life with the real dudes so I win."
"He caught one of my kicks and I knew he was trying to catch it and I tripped and as I was getting back up I was like 'here comes the flying knee I've seen this many times' and I just slid to the left ...he tried so many tricks that I've seen."
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
The 29-year-old was full of respect for Silva, 43.
"Anderson, thank you, obrigado my friend," he said.
"You've been doing this for a long time and I appreciate you."
Adesanya is now expected to be in the frame for a shot at the UFC middleweight title.
American Kevin Gastelum arrived at UFC 234 with the championship belt after the title holder, Australian Robert Whittaker, withdrew from their proposed fight.
"Kevin, put that belt down, seriously," Adesanya barked.
It completes a clean sweep for the three Kiwi fighters and the City Kickboxing gym in Auckland.
- Kai Kara-France Photo: Photosport Ltd 2019
Flyweight Kai Kara-France earlier beat another Brazilian, Raulian Paiva, by split decision.
And Shane Young beat American Austin Arnett by unanimous decision in his featherweight bout.
- RNZ/BBC