How would Israel Adesanya fare against a prime Anderson Silva?
Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva are regarded as two of the greatest strikers to have ever competed in the sport of MMA. Adesanya and Silva have time and again been praised for their innovative striking and outstanding understanding of the intricacies of the stand-up aspect of martial arts. The Last Stylebender and The Spider are no strangers to one another. Reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has often asserted that former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is one of his idols. Meanwhile, Silva too has expressed his respect for the Nigerian-New Zealander in the past. However, that didnt stop the two MMA stalwarts from going to war against one another inside the octagon. Israel Adesanya fought Anderson Silva in a three-round middleweight bout that served as the headliner for the UFC 234 (February 10, 2019) fight card. Israel Adesanya out-struck and defeated Anderson Silva via a unanimous decision (2928, 3027, 3027). Nevertheless, many believe that had this fight taken place in Silvas prime, its outcome wouldve been much different. Today, we examine this much-discussed what if scenario and break down how a fight between the prime versions of Adesanya and Silva would play out  #3 Israel Adesanya wouldnt have been able to control range against a prime Anderson Silva  The consensus in the combat sports world is that Israel Adesanya was in his athletic prime when he faced Anderson Silva, whereas Silva wasnt. Currently 31 and 46 years of age respectively, the age difference between Adesanya and Silva is quite glaring and surely provided the current champ an advantage in their fight. Regardless, assuming that both Adesanya and Silva were in their respective primes when they fought each other, their fight wouldve played out quite differently. Adesanya wouldnt have been able to control the striking range against a prime Silva. Jan Blachowiczs unorthodox striking rhythm posed a challenge for Israel Adesanya on the feet, albeit with the threat of a takedown. Well, Anderson Silva, at the peak of his game, was a master at establishing his rhythm and making his opponent fight according to hit. Silva would go from slow to moderate-paced to lightning-fast unpredictably. And hed most definitely befuddle Adesanya with his in-and-out movement, timing and precise strikes. #2 Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva would likely let grappling take a backseat just like they did in their UFC 234 fight  Even against a prime Anderson Silva, Israel Adesanya wouldve been unlikely to utilize his offensive grappling skills. Their UFC 234 matchup was primarily a kickboxing match under MMA rules, and itd have been the same had they faced off in Silvas prime. Both Adesanya and Silva possess criminally underrated grappling skills. But with their grappling skills taking a backseat in this fight, itd be purely a striking war. However, an important point to note in regards to grappling in this matchup is that Adesanya wouldve had a tough time defending himself against Silvas grappling on the feet. Hed have run into serious trouble against Silvas clinch-work and Muay Thai plum. It would ultimately be Silvas strikes that hurt Adesanya, but his grappling in the clinch would be the weapon that sets up the deadly strikes. THAT. WAS. AWESOME.     A crazy final 60 seconds sums up a wild fight between Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva! The legend passes the torch to the rising star #UFC234 pic.twitter.com/HBImyaMuIj  UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) February 10, 2019  #1 Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silvas mental warfare wouldve been off the charts  Anderson Silva has consistently prioritized the concepts of honor and respect throughout his combat sports career. But with that being said, Silva was, and still is, a master in the realm of mental warfare. Silva is usually quite respectful of his opponents before and after their fight, but hes been known to taunt and engage in showmanship during the fight. Silvas mental fortitude and showmanship inside the octagon wouldve acted as an antidote to Adesanyas own showmanship and mind games. In a nutshell, itd be safe to say that although Israel Adesanya and Anderson Silva are both capable of beating each other in their primes, Adesanya wouldve had one of his most difficult fights had he clashed with 'The Spider' in his prime. Edited by Harvey Leonard