Commentator ranks Israel Adesanya ahead of Anderson Silva as the best middleweight in history; check the explanation

I. Adesanya has been UFC middleweight champion since 2019. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

One of Ultimate's main commentators, Jon Anik, pointed out Israel adesanya as the best middleweight (up to 83,9kg.) in the history of MMA. Present at the consecration of the Nigerian UFC 287, when 'Izzy' it hit Alex Poatán and regained the category title, the analyst admitted that the feat expands the fighter's legacy. For the professional, the current champion surpasses Anderson Silva, considered by many to be the biggest icon of the group.

“It’s my humble opinion. There are people who will keep pointing Anderson Silva as the best middleweight of all time. In terms of belt defenses, everything is fine. However, in 2023, we don't just think of Adesanya as one of the best pound-for-pound. I think he is the best middleweight in history based on strength and victories”, said Anik, on 'SportsCenter'.

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The point of confirmation for Jon came from Adesanya's victory in UFC 287. For the commentator, the feat against Poatan guarantees an advantage in the argument in favor of the Nigerian.

“This may have been one of the biggest fights in MMA history. Certainly, the rivalry between the two fighters is well documented. Even though the dispute was closed, it was 3-0 for Alex Pereira (Poatan). One of the hardest things in the UFC is losing the belt and getting it back. He needed five months to do this. (…) I believe that this particular victory says more about the psychological than the physical. Accept a match while losing 3-0 in the dispute and win the way it was? I think it can be considered one of the biggest victories in UFC history”, he concluded.

UFC 287, Adesanya achieved the first positive result against Alex Poatán in combat sports. Previously, the Brazilian had accumulated three victories over the Nigerian, two of which under kickboxing rules.

MMA legend, Anderson Silva led the middleweight division from 2006 to 2013. In total, the sports icon had 10 title defenses, until the end of his reign in the confrontation against Chris Weidman.