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Ex-middleweight champion Israel Adesanya & Kelvin Gastelum to join UFC Hall of Fame

The UFC 236 classic will be going into the promotion's HOF this summer.

Zain Bando

John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Nearly six years ago, former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum fought in the co-main event of UFC 236.

It was an epic five-round war that saw Adesanya win a decision to claim the interim middleweight belt and earn an eventual title unification fight in Oct. 2019. On Saturday night at UFC 312, the fight had the honor of being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as part of the "Fight Wing" this summer.

Gastelum vs. Adesanya – UFC 236

In a promotional release, UFC CEO Dana White recalled how exciting the fight was and what it did for both fighter's careers.

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“The fight between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 236 was one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen in my life,” White said. "This was an absolute war with the interim title on the line. Congrats to Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum on a fight that will always be remembered!”            

Kelvin Gastelum fights Israel Adesanya during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena.
Kelvin Gastelum fights Israel Adesanya during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

The five-round slugfest marked the beginning of Adesanya's popularity in the UFC. It kickstarted Adesanya's title run before he knocked out Robert Whittaker and then moved on to fight the likes of Yoel Romero, Marvin Vettori, Jared Cannonier, and other middleweight greats along the way.

Although Adesanya has slipped up over the last few years, sitting at 4-5 in his last nine fights, his middleweight legacy can never be replicated.

Israel Adesanya reacts after defeating Jared Cannonier during UFC 276 at T-Mobile Arena.
Israel Adesanya reacts after defeating Jared Cannonier during UFC 276 at T-Mobile Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

As for Gastelum, it has been an up-and-down career since the Adesanya loss. However, he did earn a win in his last outing against Daniel Rodriguez and has now come up on the right end in two if his last three outings.

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For now, both men will have their moment later this year, and both have greatly earned it.

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Zain Bando
ZAIN BANDO

Zain Bando is a writer & columnist for Gameday Media's MMA Knockout, expanding his portfolio as a Staff Writer for Dallas Wings On SI with previous in-network contributions around the echosystem. Outside of covering fights, Bando's background includes Big Ten football and men's basketball with leans toward Illinois and Northwestern with a broader league view for bylines including The Sporting News, FanSided, Men's Journal and others since 2019. Bando can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or via his social media accounts @zainbando99.

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