Last night's UFC 234 fight card suffered the loss of its main event in the hours leading up to the PPV. Under normal circumstances, that would entail a fit of nerves for all the lower card participants. But in the case of Israel Adesanya squaring up with his idol, legendary MMA fighter Anderson Silva, the spike of attention ended up benefitting him the most.
In a fight many believe will be Anderson Silva's last hurrah at the pro level, Israel Adesanya conquered his childhood idol by unanimous decision. The final scorecards read 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28, all in Adesanya's favor. During the fight itself, Anderson Silva threw all of the devilish tricks he is renowned for, into the pot, but in the end, Israel Adesanya proved himself to be quite the student of the fight game, and quite befitting of his nickname: The Last Stylebender.
"This is like, if I'm playing basketball, to play against Michael Jordan. This is it for me," Adesanya said after the fight - after which he and Anderson Silva bowed down simultaneously in a showing of mutual respect - the younger pupil having rightfully earned his idol's respect. In fact, Israel Adesanya pressed himself to the mat, so as to cover up the emotion on his face. Conor McGregor who was watching from afar was impelled to pay his regards to Silva, whilst requesting a "passing of the guard" moment all their own. Should Anderson Silva hang them up for good? - comment below.