Israel Adesanya was visibly hyped watching former rival Robert Whittaker stop Nikita Krylov. Adesanya and Whittaker share a storied history, having met twice in the UFC middleweight title picture.
Israel Adesanya made his feelings clear on July 12, 2026, reacting with visible excitement after watching former rival Robert Whittaker stop Nikita Krylov in their light heavyweight contest.
Whittaker, ranked sixth in the middleweight division, holds a record of 28-9-0 and carries the kind of finishing pedigree that has defined his career at 35 years old. The Australian out of PMA Super Martial Arts lands 4.41 significant strikes per minute and brings a relentless offensive output that has made him one of the most durable and dangerous middleweights of his era.
Krylov, ranked 13th at light heavyweight, entered at 31-12-0. The 34-year-old Ukrainian is six-foot-three with a 77-inch reach and an aggressive style to match, averaging 4.38 significant strikes per minute alongside 2.19 takedowns per 15 minutes. His willingness to mix striking with grappling makes him a complex puzzle, yet Whittaker was able to close the show.
Adesanya's reaction carries extra weight given his shared history with Whittaker. The two met twice in the UFC middleweight title picture, building one of the division's defining rivalries. Adesanya, now 36 and ranked eighth at middleweight, carries a 24-6-0 record and fights out of City Kickboxing in Nigeria. The six-foot-four southpaw-switch striker operates with a reach of 80 inches and lands 4.03 significant strikes per minute.
Why it matters
- Whittaker's finish reinforces his standing as a top-six middleweight contender heading into the second half of 2026
- Adesanya's public enthusiasm adds a social layer to a rivalry that has already shaped the 185-pound division
- Both men remain active and ranked, meaning their shared history could still have competitive consequences
