With WWE promoters Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H sitting octagon side, Israel Adesanya made his entrance to The Undertaker music, donning the hat and carrying the famous urn in his hands for his UFC 276 title defence match against Jared Cannonier.
Escorting him to the octagon in the 20,000-seat arena were the Nevada Athletic Commission officials, who dutifully waited for Adesanya as he stopped and took off his hat, just as the WWE legend theatrically would before stepping into the ring.
While Cannonier had gotten to Adesanya’s nerves in the buildup to their clash, the latter clearly won the pre-fight battle with his entrance. The urn, the champion walked in with, had Cannonier’s name written on it.
Here’s the video of the Adesanya’s entrance
Here. He. Comes. ☠️
— UFC (@ufc) July 3, 2022
[ @Stylebender | #UFC276 ] pic.twitter.com/Bv54ObOkyr
The middleweight champion did manage to put his opponent in ‘rest in peace’ as he won the bout 49-46, 49-46 and 50-45 at the T-Mobile Arena.
The Undertaker had been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame 2022 for his unparalleled contribution to the wrestling entertainment industry. And with the WWE execs in attendance, there could never have been a more appropriate time to walk out on the ‘dead man’s’ theme.
This wasn’t the first time that Adesanya has used an elaborate walk out ahead of a huge title fight, having done so when he became undisputed champion.