Joe Rogan gave Israel Adesanya an ‘A-plus’ after he settled three-year grudge with a brutal knockout

Israel Adesanya punished Derek Brunson at UFC 230 for ‘icing’ him years prior

Adesanya was on plenty of fight fans’ radars after wins over Rob Wilkinson, Marvin Vettori, and Brad Tavares to kick off his career in mixed martial arts’ top promotion. But it was his fourth UFC fight that really signaled the ex-kickboxer as a future star.

At the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Nigerian-New Zealander picked up one of UFC 230’s performance bonuses with a brutal finish of Derek Brunson.

In the final minute of round one, Adesanya badly hurt Brunson with knees before eventually dropping him twice in quick succession with punches to secure the TKO stoppage.

Watching back the vicious finish, color commentator Joe Rogan made it clear what he thought of Adesanya’s work.

“That is technique,” Rogan said on the broadcast. “That is ‘The Last Stylebender’, folks.

“That was a big test for him tonight, and he got an A-plus…sensational.” he added.

OTD: Israel Adesanya Did THIS vs Brunson In NYC!

OTD: Israel Adesanya Did THIS vs Brunson In NYC!Relive more moments at The Garden on UFC Fight Pass!

Posted by UFC on Friday, October 31, 2025

Judging by his pre-fight remarks, the then-future UFC middleweight champion likely did not have much sympathy for his stricken opponent.

In the lead-up to UFC 230, Adesanya revealed some surprise animosity with Brunson, claiming the American had ignored him during a brief in-person meeting three years prior.

“In Auckland, it’s Kiwi country, there’s not really many black people,” Adesanya told Bloody Elbow.

“So there’s an unwritten etiquette amongst black people that, when you see each other, you kind of give this nod of acknowledgement. I saw him, and I just nodded at him like what’s up, and he iced me.

“At that moment, I knew I was (eventually) gonna fight this guy. He’s a s— c—. Even back then in 2015, he knew who I was. It shows all these motherf—- already know me, but they’re too scared to say my name,” he added.

Israel Adesanya’s next UFC fight

Seven years on from that result in Madison Square Garden, the now-legendary UFC middleweight has found himself on a difficult run.

Adesanya’s knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov this past February marked his third consecutive defeat, leaving him winless since regaining the 185-pound belt from Alex Pereira in April 2023.

Having dismissed those calling for his retirement, ‘The Last Stylebender’ initially set his sights on a rematch with Sean Strickland — the man who quickly ended his second middleweight reign two years ago.

But having not received a positive response from the American, Adesanya has moved on. He told Submission Radio in September that he is now willing to face whomever the UFC puts forward for his next fight.