‘He was f****** dudes up in the craziest way’ – Floyd Mayweather and Muhammad Ali were big influences on UFC champion Israel Adesanya but British boxing legend Prince Naseem Hamed was his first inspiration

Israel Adesanya is undoubtedly one of the most skilful strikers in the UFC today, but who did the man mould himself on?

The current middleweight king is one of the most dominant champions in recent history and nobody has been able to live with him in a stand-up contest during his MMA career thus far.

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Adesanya is 22-1 in his career where his only loss came against the bigger Jan Blachowicz when he stepped up in weight. The Pole smothered Adesanya, but he certainly didn’t outstrike him.

The Last Stylebender visited talkSPORT HQ on Tuesday and during an exclusive sit down revealed what boxers had influenced his striking style.

“One person I can remember watching, my first introduction to boxing as a kid that I can recall, I was watching this guy on screen on one of those box TVs, the fish tanks, I remember watching this guy on screen and being in awe,” Adesanya recalled.

“He was just doing like the most crazy moves and dancing and I was like wow. It was Prince Naseem Hamed. I just remember he was the first boxer that made me laugh and giggle at what he was doing. 

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"He was f****** dudes up in the craziest way. He definitely had some influence on me.”

Prince Naseem held multiple featherweight championships in his prime and was an iconic British boxer in the 1990s, who thrilled people with his style much like Adesanya now.

He went 36-1 in his career with 31 knockout victories. His hands began to wore down towards the end of his career, but there are stories of him beating up heavyweights in sparring - he was that powerful and that good.

Adesanya doesn’t just take from one legend, though. He has an assortment that have helped comprise the fighter he is today.

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“Of course, Muhammad Ali. Of course, Floyd Mayweather. Remy Bonjasky from K-1. So many influences in my life when it comes to fighting. 

“[Former middleweight champion] Anderson Silva is definitely one of those when it comes to MMA. Just like Bruce Lee, I take what is applicable to me and I get inspired by that and apply it.”

Having beaten Robert Whittaker earlier in February, Adesanya says he hopes to be fighting against this summer - preferably June - and has Jared Canonnier in his sights.