JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – David Onama’s recreation of Israel Adesanya’s famous celebration following his UFC on ABC 5 knockout win was not a spur of the moment thing.
Onama (11-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) plotted all along to pay homage to the UFC middleweight champion on Saturday after he put away Gabriel Santos (10-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) with a devastating second-round knockout at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
After Onama halted Santos, he copied Adesanya’s celebration from his UFC 287 title win over Alex Pereira in April by pulling out an imaginary bow and shooting arrows into his downed opponent.
“That’s my guy, Izzy,” Onama told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC on ABC 5 post-fight news conference. “Izzy fought a Brazilian and I was like, ‘I’m going to do what Izzy did. I’m going to knock this kid out then I’m going to celebrate like Izzy.’ And it showed, so.”
The victory was an important one for Onama, who received Performance of the Night honors. Following a loss to Nate Landwehr in August, Onama was one of the fighters who had his career uprooted by the investigation into Glory MMA coach James Krause. He was forced to relocate gyms, and opted to go to Factory X in Denver.
Although there were challenges, Onama said the switch has paid dividends in his career. He’s excited for what’s ahead, and the 29-year-old thinks the team will allow him to reach his full potential.
“I’m going to go back to the gym on Monday and just keep sharpening my tools and get better,” Onama said. “I’m not rushing anything at all. My time is going to come, and I’m going to keep getting better when that time comes.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 5.
