Apr 13, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (red gloves) fights Israel Adesanya (blue gloves) during UFC 236 at State Farm Arena. Adesanya won by unanimous decision. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Israel Adesanya’s Heartwarming FaceTime To His Rival Is The Best Thing You Will See Today

Israel Adesanya’s heartfelt FaceTime with his rival is the most heartwarming thing fight fans will see today!

When Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum stepped into the octagon at UFC 236 in 2019, nobody knew they would create magic. Their five-round war for the interim middleweight title pushed both fighters to their absolute limits. Adesanya finally pulled off a dramatic victory after five rounds. This wasn’t just another fight. It was the kind of battle that changes fighters forever, leaving Adesanya with a scar on his lip that still makes him think of Gastelum whenever he catches his reflection.

Now, at UFC 312, this legendary bout has finally received its well-deserved place in the UFC Hall of Fame. This fight has now joined other classic wars like Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar, and Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, as it comes during a period when Adesanya himself seems to be embracing a more reflective phase of his career, recently seen making peace with another former rival in Alex Pereira.

Also Read: Sean Strickland Injury Update: What happened To Sean Strickland’s Nose At UFC 312?

Israel Adesanaya’s Facetime to Kelvin Gastelum After HOF Induction

The video call between Israel Adesanya and Kelvin Gastelum after the Hall of Fame announcement showed a side of MMA that fans don’t often get to see. Gone was the fierce competitor who once traded heavy shots with Gastelum. It was replaced by a grateful athlete calling his former opponent “hermano” (brother) and thanking him for being “a great salsa partner.”

“Hermano! We did it! Congrats to you, man! Hey, it takes two to tango and you’re a great salsa partner, man. Thank you so much. That’s what I said on the mic, when they put it up on the screen, ‘Kelvin, that was us, that was you and me, Hermano.’ You’re a special human being.”

The call highlighted how their shared experience created a unique bond, with Israel Adesanya openly admitting that he still draws strength from their battle during tough training sessions. This kind of evolution in fighter relationships isn’t uncommon in MMA. Like how Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones eventually found respect for each other, or how Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald became linked forever by their own war.

But there is something special about watching Adesanya and Gastelum celebrate their shared legacy. Their careers took vastly different paths after that night. Israel Adesanya went on to dominate the middleweight division and Gastelum faced a tough road. However, their mutual respect and gratitude for that career-defining moment remains unchanged, proving that sometimes the fiercest battles create the strongest bonds!

(Image Credit: John David Mercer – Imagn Images)

Israel Adesanya

Kelvin Gastelum

UFC 236

UFC 312

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!