Israel Adesanya wanted a big test at UFC 230. He got one against No. 6-ranked Derek Brunson.
Adesanya passed the exam with ease, running through Brunson to win by knockout at 4:51 of the first round. The end came when Adesanya connected on a high kick and dropped Brunson with a left hand. Brunson got back up to his feet and wanted more. Adesanya obliged by blasting the North Carolina native with a blistering straight right hand to knock him down to the canvas and referee Herb Dean immediately stopped the action.
ADESANYA!!@Stylebender finishes Brunson in round 1! #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/WGu676jNr6
— UFC (@ufc) November 4, 2018
Here is what Twitter thought of Adesanya's rise into title contention.
Adesanya is a tough fight for most guys in the Middleweight division. His defensive wrestling has grown leaps. Big win for him tn. Welcome to the Top 5! From experience, that is usually a HUGE jump in talent. Interesting to see what’s next for him. #UFC230
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) November 4, 2018
Israel Adesanya is must watch every time he fights. Take a bow @stylebender. That was breathtaking. #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/FjDnJtupNZ
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) November 4, 2018
Bad news for @ufc middleweights @stylebender is getting better. While Brunson looked intimidated, Israel showed solid takedown defense. #ufc230
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 4, 2018
I love this guy @stylebender #UFC230 #BelieveTheHype
— Cortney Casey (@CastIron_Casey) November 4, 2018
DAMN!!! I have to say the Stylebender is LEGIT!! Impressed me from the beginning
— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) November 4, 2018
Wow!! @stylebender is so legit! Stuffed all those takedowns so easily!
— James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) November 4, 2018
Adesanya had Brunson like this... (the ref is the big giraffe) #UFC230 pic.twitter.com/YuqMx7WGEn
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) November 4, 2018
What a TKO by @stylebender congrats! Huge finish and move up the rankings.
— Jimmie Rivera (@JimmieRivera135) November 4, 2018