UFC Picks and Predictions: Israel Adesanya’s YouTube Channel and Partnership with Stake.com
Israel Adesanya is a Nigerian-born New Zealand naturalized mixed martial artist, boxer, and kickboxer. He competes in the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in the middleweight division where he has been a two-time champion.
As part of the globally renowned City Kickboxing team, and with a strong presence both inside and outside the octagon (as demonstrated in UFC 276 and UFC 287 among others), the so-called “Last Stylebender” shines when the pressure is high. One notable example is the knockout against his arch-rival Alex Pereira, where Israel achieved one of the most spectacular finishes in UFC history. Currently, Adesanya ranks #11 in the UFC pound-for-pound male fighter rankings, making him a renowned figure in the sport.
In addition to a successful MMA career, Adesanya has made a name for himself on YouTube with the “FREESTYLEBENDER” channel. Amassing over a million subscribers, the channel breaks down the latest UFC matches and covers the most memorable moments.
In 2021, Israel Adesanya became the first-ever Brand Ambassador at Stake.com. Founded in 2017, Stake has emerged as one of the leading online casino operators and sportsbooks in the word and the crypto gambling pioneer. Sports enthusiasts access the platform every day to bet on a number of sports, from soccer to American football, basketball, and mixed martial arts. When it comes to the UFC, one of Stake’s most sought-after offerings, users can browse through the event calendar, follow the latest odds, see results in real-time, and live stream fights.
Stake has referred to the partnership with Adesanya as a “match made in heaven”. The collaboration has seen the popular mixed martial artists giving interviews and tips and making exclusive content for Stake’s user base.
In what follows, we dive deeper into the lucrative partnership, Adesanya’s YouTube career, and Stakes’ reputation as the leading UFC online betting platform.
UFC Picks with Israel Adesanya
Since joining the video platform in February of 2021, Israel Adesanya’s YouTube channel has attracted a large audience of 1.12 million subscribers, an impressive feature that fewer than 55,000 channels have been able to achieve as of 2024. To put that number in perspective, there are 114 million channels on YouTube in actuality.
The FREESTYLEBENDER channel is active, posting videos on a weekly basis, garnering hundreds of thousands of views shortly after becoming accessible. Some of the most popular videos boast over 2 million views.
So what makes the channel so special? Besides Adesanya’s stardom and legacy, FREESTYLEBENDER is known for its versatile and high-quality content. The Last Stylebender breaks down and reacts to the latest UFC fights, providing insightful commentary and promoting his picks and predictions for upcoming events.
He has also opened up about his life, giving viewers insights into his intense training camp for the Alex Pereira UFC 287 rematch, $100 million car collection and, most recently, his Dubai vacation with Italian TikToker Khaby Lame and American rapper Rick Ross. Adesanya has reacted to fights involving fellow YouTube personalities, such as Jake Paul vs. Tyron Woodly in August 2021, a video that amassed 1.3 million views.
What are some of the Other UFC Top Picks?
Now, it’s time to look at some other expert UFC picks and predictions. Each fighter has a unique style, which attracts fans worldwide and enhances the sport even further.
Kamaru Usman
Known as the “Nigerian Nightmare,” Kamarudeen Usman is a highly skilled fighter. He grew up in Nigeria and moved to Texas, where he excelled in wrestling. After winning the NCAA Division II national championship, he began his career in professional fighting.
Usman is focused and ambitious, inspired by legends like Rashad Evans and Mike Tyson. He became the first African UFC Champion in 2019, aiming to leave a lasting legacy. His determination and talent make him an inspiration to many and one of the top picks for fans who bet on the UFC.
Islam Makhachev
Islam Ramazanovich Makhachev is a Russian mixed martial artist from Dagestan. He is known for his prowess in judo and sambo. He represents the Lak ethnic group and has achieved significant success in his career. Makhachev is a Combat Sambo World Champion and competes in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Training alongside renowned fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov at the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Makhachev hones his skills before each fight. His association with Khabib and the rest of the team has contributed to his growth as a fighter. As of January 20, 2020, Makhachev holds the #14 spot in the UFC lightweight rankings, showcasing his standing among the best in his division.
With an impressive fighting record of 25 wins, one loss, and no draws, Makhachev has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His remarkable win streak includes 13 consecutive victories, with five wins by knockout and 11 by submission. Makhachev’s blend of striking and grappling skills makes him a versatile and dangerous opponent in the octagon.
Sean O’Malley
Sean O’Malley is an American UFC fighter who competes in the bantamweight division and is ranked No. 13 as of December 13, 2021. He earned his UFC contract after impressing in Dana White’s Contender Series 2, scoring a knockout against Alfred Khashakyan. Born on October 24, 1994, in Helena, Montana, Sean, raised by his father, Dan O’Malley, began his fighting career under the nickname “Sugar.” He is of American nationality and mixed ethnicity.
Sean started fighting in Montana and later fought in North Dakota before joining the Legacy Fighting Alliance. His knockout over David Nuzzo caught his attention, leading him to Dana White’s Contender Series 2. He made his UFC debut on December 1, 2017, winning against Terrion Ware.
With 18 wins and one loss, Sean has 12 wins by knockout and nine first-round finishes. He’s established himself as a promising fighter in the UFC bantamweight division, showcasing his skills and determination in the octagon.
Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira is a well-known charismatic fighter who captivates crowds with his flashy approach. He uses his athleticism and vitality in his battles, entertaining the crowd with backflips, cartwheels, and flying knees. Every time he performs, the audience finds him a crowd favourite due to his captivating presence in the octagon.
With a record of 31 wins and 11 losses, Pereira demonstrates his experience and versatility in the sport.
Unique offerings on Stake.com for UFC enthusiasts
The Stake Sportsbook has garnered a large user base since its introduction in 2020 due to several reasons. For starters, the platform boasts a comprehensive interface, a unique visual style, and efficient customer support. In addition, it is committed to responsible gambling.
Besides the aforementioned, one of the most appealing factors is the promotions, bonuses, and unique offerings, which are available around special sporting events or throughout the entire year in some cases.
Some of the promotions users can find on the platform are as follows.
UFC Split Decision Insurance
An offer specifically tailored to UFC bettors, the Split Decision Insurance consists in placing a bet on Winner markets of any UFC match and earning their stake back if the user’s selection loses by split decision. The promotion is valid until the end of the year, and a minimum bet of $5 USD should be made.
Daily Races
In this ongoing event, $100,000 USD is awarded every 24 hours. Participants engage by placing bets in Stake’s Casino and Sportsbook to ascend the Daily Race Leaderboard. All users qualify for participation, and progression can be monitored in real-time. Following the designated period, the top 5,000 participants receive immediate payouts into their accounts.
Weekly Raffles
Stake offers a weekly raffle with a prize pool of $75,000 USD. Participation is automatic: for every $1,000 USD wagered in the casino and sportsbook, players receive one ticket. There are no additional requirements, so players are encouraged to accumulate tickets for increased chances of winning. Winners are revealed during Eddie’s live stream every Saturday at 2 pm (GMT), with the next raffle commencing shortly after. The prize pool is distributed among 15 fortunate participants.
Conquer the casino
On Stake.com’s casino side, users will find plenty of special promotions and offerings as well. The operator offers a chance to win a share of $50,000 USD by trying out the latest online casino games. Each week, Conquer the Casino highlights a few titles from the newest additions set. Two major prizes are available for each game: the “big wins” prize for the largest payout and the “lucky wins” prize for the highest multiplier.
Becoming a Stake member
Those interested in betting on MMA competitions or any other sports can become a Stake.com member through a simple registration process.
- Sign up: Creating an account on Stake.com is free of charge. Users can initiate the registration process by providing basic information, such as their names and email addresses, and creating a unique username and strong password.
- Deposit funds: Once they have registered an account on the platform, new members can choose their preferred local currency or cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, etc.).
- Understanding the odds: As a general rule, it is crucial to have a firm understanding of MMA or any other sports before wagering. It is also important for Stake users to familiarize themselves with the various types of odds and identify their preferred markets. What’s more, there are several UFC betting formats worth learning, including winner, method of victory, round betting, and parlays.
- Place bets: Once the aforementioned elements have been studied and interiorized, the users can locate the fixture they wish to bet on and place their wager.
- Withdraw winnings: Upon successful bets, simply withdraw the winnings.
Joining the VIP club
The Stake.com VIP program offers members tailored benefits to enhance their gaming experience. Members receive weekly and monthly bonuses based on their gameplay, personalized support from a dedicated VIP host, cashback on losses, rewarding level-ups, and bespoke benefits to meet individual gaming needs.
Becoming a VIP is a more complex process compared to the regular registration process. In essence, to join the exclusive club users must wager. The more they wager, the better the rewards will be. Hence, it is a process that requires time and dedication.
To conclude
Renowned athletes of the caliber of mixed martial artists and UFC champion Israel Adesanya are diving into the world of UFC commentary, picks, and predictions. On YouTube, Adesanya’s official channel has connected with audiences, surpassing 1 million subscribers.
It comes as no surprise that “The Last Stylebender” has partnered with Stake.com, one of the leading online casinos and sportsbooks. Since the beginning of their partnership in 2021, Adesanya has created special content for the company’s user base, from exclusive interviews to tips and more.
In recent years, Stake.com has emerged as one of the top online casino and sportsbook operators in the globe. The widespread success comes down to a number of key factors, including their variety of sports offerings, abundant promotions, and commitment to safe and responsible gambling as well as the availability of cryptocurrency transactions on the platform. On the website, MMA enthusiasts can bet on the UFC 301, while reviewing the latest odds, expert picks, and predictions.
