UFC Fight of the Year Enters Hall of Fame | Kelvin Gastelum Vs. Israel Adesanya
- Mike David
- Jun 2
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 31
Whenever Jon Anik appears on a UFC broadcast, he pays tribute to the fighters who make this sport what it is. And on this special occasion, whose rugged, handsome, Jewish face pops up? Jon Anik.
During UFC 312, Anik announced that 2019’s Fight of the Year—Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya—would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing in 2025. On June 26, 2025, both fighters delivered acceptance speeches, honoring that legendary, life-changing battle that earned them Hall of Fame status six years later.
April 2019 was a month that shook my perspective on reality and legality. The footage of rapper Nipsey Hussle’s murder spread across the world. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was dragged out of an embassy after years of asylum. T.J. Dillashaw was handed a two-year ban for EPO doping. And in the middle of it all, Kelvin Gastelum and Israel Adesanya waged war for UFC gold.
Watching that fight didn’t just reignite my love for MMA—it reignited my passion for the UFC. It sparked a drive to dig deeper into real-life subjects, to pursue facts with purpose, and ultimately, to become a writer.
This is my love letter to 2019’s Fight of the Year: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya. A fight that had it all—the before, the during, and the after.
[The Before] An interim title clash between the #4 and #5 middleweight contenders in the world. Gastelum entered at 16-4-1. Adesanya stood undefeated at 16-0.
[The During] Momentum shifted round after round, producing a war—a once-in-a-lifetime performance from both men.
[The After] The faces that entered the Octagon were not the same faces that left for the hospital. Yet only one would walk—or limp—away with the spoils: a golden ticket to challenge for the undisputed UFC middleweight title.
Date: April 13, 2019
Event: UFC 236 – Holloway vs. Poirier 2
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Fight: Co-Main Event – Kelvin Gastelum (#4) vs. Israel Adesanya (#5)
Title on the Line: Interim UFC Middleweight Championship
Significance of the Event and Bouts
UFC 236 is a night forever etched in my memory—a card that delivered historic performances and unforgettable battles. While Gastelum vs. Adesanya was the central highlight, the action began earlier with Khalil Rountree Jr.’s jaw-dropping display of Muay Thai mastery. He dismantled Eryk Anders with brutal leg kicks reminiscent of Bloodsport—that iconic 80’s film where Van Damme chops down bamboo with nothing but his shin. For Anders, there was no Hollywood ending. This was Rountree’s return after spending a year sharpening his craft in Thailand, and he brought every ounce of that training back with him.
Right after that televised crippling came the co-main event: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Israel Adesanya. Let the disfigurement begin. This wasn’t just a fight—it was a ripple that carried through two divisions. A war destined to be remembered as one of the most brutal, technical, and transformative middleweight showdowns in UFC history.
And yes, that was only the co-main. The main event delivered its own unforgettable clash. Max “Blessed” Holloway stepped up in weight to challenge Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier in their long-awaited rematch, this time for interim lightweight gold. The stakes mirrored the co-main: the winner would earn a unification bout with the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Cultural Currents Around the Fight
The fight was staged against a backdrop of global and cultural upheaval:
The Arrest of Julian Assange (April 11, 2019): WikiLeaks’ founder was dragged from Ecuador’s London Embassy after his asylum was revoked. His arrest—and U.S. charges for hacking—ignited worldwide debates about whistleblowers, secrecy, and freedom of the press.
The Nipsey Hussle Memorial (April 11, 2019): The community reeled from the March 31 murder of rapper and activist Nipsey Hussle. A memorial service at L.A.’s Staples Center drew 21,000 people, followed by a 25-mile funeral procession. Tributes—from fellow artists to President Obama—turned the tragedy into a rallying cry for urban investment and peace.
T.J. Dillashaw’s Suspension (April 9, 2019): Former bantamweight champ Dillashaw received a two-year ban after testing positive for EPO. The scandal stunned fans and fighters alike, igniting debate about PEDs and staining a once-celebrated career.
Masvidal’s “Three Piece and a Soda” (March 16, 2019): Jorge Masvidal’s infamous backstage brawl with Leon Edwards went viral, cementing his “bad boy” persona and setting the stage for a grudge match.
With events like these crashing into headlines, who needs scripted drama? Reality was writing its own story—and combat sports provided the rawest chapters. UFC 236 wasn’t just a fight card; it was a gift. Inside were two epic interim title bouts, wrapped into one unforgettable night.
Setting the Stage
The middleweight title picture in 2019 was clouded. Robert Whittaker had become undisputed champion after Georges St-Pierre vacated due to health issues. Because Yoel Romero missed weight at UFC 225, Whittaker had yet to defend his belt. That meant the winner of Gastelum vs. Adesanya wouldn’t just carry interim gold—they would secure the right to unify the championship against Whittaker.
Defining Traits: Grit, Skill, and Heart
2019’s Fight of the Year is remembered not only for its violence but for the qualities that define combat sports: grit, skill, and heart.
Grit – Perseverance in the face of punishment.
Example 1: Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira (UFC FN). Smith fought on despite his teeth being knocked out in Round 4. His corner refused to throw in the towel—he answered the bell bloodied, battered, and still swinging. That’s grit.
Example 2: Michael Bisping KO’ing Luke Rockhold on short notice to win the middleweight crown—despite effectively fighting with only one good eye. That’s grit.
For Gastelum and Adesanya, grit was the entry fee.
Skill – The currency of champions. Adesanya, the longer, more technical fighter, managed distance with surgical precision. His feints lured Gastelum forward, creating openings for counters. Kelvin, relentless and durable, landed heavy shots in return—forcing Izzy into the kind of deep waters that reveal greatness. Coach Rafael Cordeiro could be heard screaming instructions to Gastelum, reminding him to cut angles and close distance. Both fighters delivered a masterclass of offense and adjustment, with the damage etched across their faces after five brutal rounds.
Heart – The final measure. Heart is what carries a fighter when the body is breaking. Gastelum and Adesanya embodied it, trading momentum until the championship rounds demanded more than technique—demanded soul.
Key Momentum Shifts
Round 1: Gastelum lands a right hook, staggering Adesanya into the cage.
Round 2: Adesanya answers back, dropping Kelvin with an overhand right.
Round 3: A seesaw of exchanges; both fighters connect big.
Round 4: Gastelum rocks Izzy with a head kick. Adesanya steadies, surviving the storm.
Round 5: Adesanya unleashes hell, dropping Gastelum three times and sealing a 48–46 unanimous decision.
Aftermath and Legacy
Adesanya’s triumph crowned him interim champion and propelled him toward superstardom. He would go on to dethrone Robert Whittaker in spectacular fashion, beginning his reign as one of MMA’s biggest names. Gastelum, though defeated, earned eternal respect for his toughness and grit.
Their clash is now immortalized in the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing—a benchmark for what a championship fight should be: skill, grit, and heart on full display.
This was more than a fight. It was a testament. A reminder that in combat sports, reality always outwrites the script.
Stay tuned for future episodes when we take a snap shot out of their individual careers.
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Thank you for your time.
-Mike David
Who should taste Hall of Fame Glory Next? - Add your Hall of Fame Pick in the comments below.
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