With WWE execs Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H octagon-side, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya borrowed the Undertaker’s walkout for his UFC 276 title defense against Jared Cannonier.
Adesanya wore the retired wrestling star’s black hat and carried and urn as the funeral chimes of his 6-10 counterpart sounded at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Nevada Athletic Commission officials dutifully followed (and paused) when Adesanya stopped for his spotlight in the 20,000-seat arena.
Video of the entrance is available at
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BAH GAWD THAT’S THE UNDERTAKER’S MUSIC! @stylebender with another EPIC walkout! #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/aXXUp4v4lg
— UFC on BT Sport (@btsportufc) July 3, 2022
GOOSEBUMPS #UFC276 pic.twitter.com/bUdX8XSA39
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 3, 2022
His colleagues quickly recognized the classic entrance of the middleweight champion as an example.
This is epic
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) July 3, 2022
Bruh, the Undertaker! so sick #UFC276
— Vince Morales (@vandetta135) July 3, 2022
Izzy comin out to the undertaker theme in front of Vince McMahon
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) July 3, 2022
Stylebender… Fucking love this guy
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) July 3, 2022
Best walkout ever #UFC276
— Brian BOOM Kelleher (@brianboom135) July 3, 2022
Has Jared’s ashes!!! #UFC276
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 3, 2022
@stylebender that walk out tho!! #ufc276
— RobFont (@RobSFont) July 3, 2022
Izzy marked his territory #UFC276
— Diana Belbita (@DianaBelbita) July 3, 2022
A former kickboxing champion, Adesanya is widely known as an avid fan of anime and even got heated when fellow UFC 276 fighter Sean Strickland took a shot at his obsession.
Still, until Saturday’s pay-per-view event, he was not known for invoking pro-wrestlers in the way that was the signature of three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen or former heavyweight champ Josh Barnett.
But Adesanya was able to grab the attention of UFC and pro-wrestling royalty who were waiting for him in the octagon. He proved once again that he is just as adept at putting on a show outside of the cage.
