UFC fighter Adesanya pockets N18m for Tavares victory

Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya recorded a bloody, dominant win over veteran Brad Tavares in his first Ultimate Fight Club (UFC) main event at The Palms in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Adesanya who is based in Auckland, New Zealand scored 49-46 and 50-45 twice in a lopsided five-round decision victory and is now undefeated in 14 fights.

The 28-year-old middleweight improved in his takedown defense and had an exceptional control of distance, and a measured striking attack that the 8 ranked Tavares couldn’t keep up throughout the 25-minute fight.

Adesanya in his post fight interview spoke in his native Yoruba, urging Nigerians to come out and support him and his  Nigerian UFC counterpart Kamaru Usman in the mixed martial arts sports.

He also won the Performance of the Night prize, winning a 18 million Naira bonus.