Israel Adesanya signs 'lucrative' multi-fight deal with the UFC ahead of Robert Whittaker rematch

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has signed ‘one of the most lucrative multi-fight deals’ in MMA history ahead of his big rematch against Robert Whittaker.

The Last Stylebender is back in action on Saturday night when he faces Whittaker at UFC 271 on February 12 in Houston’s Toyota Center.

Adesanya, 32, has gone 10-1 in the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion since making his debut against Rob Wilkinson in February 2018, becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars in the process.

And according to his management team Paradigm Sports, who also represent Conor McGregor, he can look forward to ‘several more prosperous years with the UFC’.

The statement read: “We are very happy with the terms of Israel’s new promotional agreement with UFC.

“Israel truly deserves to be in the position that he is in, and we look forward to several more prosperous years with the UFC.

“The agreement was finalised last week after several months of negotiations, ahead of Adesanya’s much anticipated title-defence against Robert Whittaker at UFC 271.”

His manager Tim Simpson added that Adesanya’s new contract is ‘one of the most lucrative multi-fight deals in company history’ and that will make him ‘one of the top paid athletes in the history of mixed martial arts.’

Adesanya steps into the octagon for the first time in eight months when he takes on Whittaker this weekend, almost two-and-a-half years after their previous bout which he won via second-round knockout.

He looks in fantastic shape and is even more shredded than when he fought Marvin Vettori in June.

And he is unsurprisingly in a rather happy mood after the two sides agreed to extend their partnership for at least the next couple of years.

Speaking at the press