UFC x Olympics: Raygun backed by ‘Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya

Australia’s viral breaking sensation, Raygun, has received unlikely support in the form of Kiwi UFC megastar – and breakdancing enthusiast – Israel Adesanya.

Australia’s viral breaking sensation, Raygun, has received unlikely support in the form of Kiwi UFC megastar – and breakdancing enthusiast – Israel Adesanya.

Rachael ‘Raygun’ Gunn produced the most viral moment of the Paris Olympics with her Aussie-inspired breaking routine on the weekend, and has been at the centre of intense scrutiny ever since.

Adesanya, who fights South Africa’s Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title at UFC 305 in Perth this weekend, has a long history of street dancing, breaking and crumping, and hopes Raygun continues breaking.

“Raygun, it is what it is, use it as fuel and go and get better – not even at the Olympics – just showcase yourself over and over again and just enjoy the art of breaking,” Adesanya told this masthead.

“I try not to make fun of her, because it’s a win for street culture to be featured on the world stage like that at the Olympics.

Raygunn was the biggest viral sensation of the Paris Olympics. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

“And we got made fun of for busking back in the day when we were kids, so it’s not right me making fun of her on the world stage.

“Some of those memes were fire though, don’t get me wrong. It was hilarious, but, yeah, I’m not gonna hop on her as well.”

Before fighting, dancing was Adesanya’s main creative outlet, and he still breaks to let off steam.

Israel Adesanya of New Zealand celebrates his win against Robert Whittaker of Australia during UFC 243 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Sunday, October 6, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

‘Stylebender’ even had a dance routine specially choreographed for his walkout at UFC 243 in Melbourne when he won the middleweight title off Rob Whittaker.

Adesayna does have questions about breaking at the Olympics, and the Games as a whole though.

“Break dancing as an Olympic sport was kinda weird for me – it’s art, it’s subjective,” he said. “It’s just new, and I’m just not used to it yet.

“I still like break dancing as in the Red Bull BC One (annual breaking competition). That’s the pinnacle of break dancing in the world.

You knew Israel Adesanya was going to knock out Robert Whittaker immediately after this walkout. #Swaggerx1000000
(via @espnmmapic.twitter.com/LrwEzd8YDv

— BroBible (@BroBible) October 6, 2019

“And who’s judging the Olympics? Who are they, what do they know?

“But the whole Olympics was a bit weird for me.

“These athletes generate billions, but where does the money go? They get none of it. Everyone’s there to watch the athletes and they do it all for prestige. This isn’t the 1600s, they should be getting paid.

“So, yeah, the Olympics were strange.”

Adesanya will be making big money this weekend as he attempts to become just the second fighter in UFC history – after the legendary Randy Couture – to become a three-time champion in the same division.

He also has a point to prove.

The New Zealander has lost two of his last three middleweight fights, and meets an awkward and extremely confident du Plessis.

The South African champion is undefeated in the UFC, is coming off wins over Robert Whittaker and Sean Strickland and says Adesanya has lost the spark that made him one of the best fighters ever.

“He can say whatever he wants,” Adesanya said bluntly when asked for his response to du Plessis’ claims.

Dricus du Plessis (L) and Israel Adesanya (R) meet in this weekend’s UFC 305 main event in Perth. Picture: Will Russell/Zuffa LLC

And what about DDP’s assertion that he’ll be the crowd favourite?

“Don’t care. Cool,” he said. “It doesn’t matter, I really don’t care.”

As for people counting him out, Adesanya uses it as motivation.

“It’s fuel,” he said “I don’t care what they think. For me, it’s like, ‘Alright, cool. You’ll see’.

“He’s a great fighter, so I want to put him away and showcase why I’m a greater fighter.

“Everything else that comes with that – all the belts and accolades – I don’t really focus on that.

“I just focus on the athlete and the fighter that’s in front of me.”

Originally published as UFC x Olympics: Raygun backed by ‘Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya