Israel Adesanya fights Filip Verlinden in the Glory Superfight Series on April 12, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Pedro Gomes/Getty Images)
Kickboxer Israel Adesanya has dropped a unanimous points decision to Belgian Filip Verlinden at Glory 15 in Istanbul.
The Auckland middleweight is the first Kiwi to compete on kickboxing's biggest stage but finished his debut bout in the promotion in disappointing fashion today.
After the fight, which all the judges
scored 30-27 in favour of Verlinden, Adesanya tweeted: "My opponent played a better game, I misfired tonight. Thanks for all the support my people. Can't get rid of me that easily.''
It was only the second loss of the 24-year-old's career and his record now stands at 32-2.
Adesanya is contracted for one more fight in the promotion but there's no word on when he will step in the ring again.
