Israel Adesanya Family Tree: The Story Behind The Last Stylebender

Israel Mobolaji Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya, born 22 July 1989 in Lagos, Nigeria, is a Nigerian-New-Zealand MMA fighter — UFC Middleweight Champion 2019-2022, 2023; kickboxing record 75-5; 24-4 MMA record.

The Family's Roots: A Nigerian Family in Auckland

Family emigrated from Nigeria to Auckland, New Zealand in 1999.

His Parents

Father: Oluwafemi Adesanya — Nigerian; accountant.

Mother: Taiwo Adesanya — Nigerian; nurse.

His Siblings

David Adesanya — younger brother; MMA fighter (in developmental).

Bose Adesanya — sister.

Nathan Adesanya — brother.

Boluwatife Adesanya — sibling.

The Adesanya Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Oluwafemi Adesanya — accountant.

Mother: Taiwo Adesanya — nurse.

Siblings: David — MMA fighter; Bose; Nathan; Boluwatife.

Marital Status: Unmarried as of 2026.

Israel Adesanya:

  • Born 22 July 1989, Lagos
  • Family to Auckland, NZ 1999
  • Started kickboxing at 18 (2007)
  • Whanganui, then Auckland City Kickboxing (Eugene Bareman)
  • Kickboxing record: 75-5 (Glory Kickboxing, K-1)
  • MMA debut: February 2012
  • UFC debut: February 2018
  • UFC Middleweight Champion: 5 October 2019 (Robert Whittaker)
  • Middleweight title defences: 5
  • Attempt at light heavyweight (Blachowicz) March 2021 — lost
  • Lost title to Alex Pereira November 2022 — regained April 2023
  • Lost title to Sean Strickland September 2023
  • 24-4 MMA record

What the Adesanya Family Story Teaches Us

An accountant father. A nurse mother. Four siblings including an MMA-fighter brother. A career that started at 18 in New Zealand kickboxing gyms and became UFC Middleweight Champion — with a rivalry that has crossed kickboxing and MMA (Adesanya vs Pereira 4 times).

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Stylebender story carries the same lesson. Some careers cross Lagos to Auckland to UFC gold.

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