How Self-Defense Fueled My UFC Rise – Adesanya

Nigerian-born UFC star, Israel Adesanya, has opened up on how he was inspired to become a professional fighter. He said he started fighting to defend himself, and over time, he discovered he had a talent for it, which made him passionate about the sport.

Speaking at a Celestial Church of Christ service in Lagos, Adesanya, also known as the Last Stylebender, urged aspiring athletes not to simply follow his path but to carve out their own journeys. He advised them to draw inspiration from his experiences and those of other athletes but emphasized the importance of creating a personal route to success.

During the event, Adesanya appeared in the traditional Celestial garment and spoke candidly about how his father played a crucial role in his career. He mentioned that without his father’s support, he might never have pursued fighting as a profession.

When asked why he chose fighting as a career, Adesanya responded, “That’s a long story, but for me, I was just standing up for myself. It was what it took to learn how to fight, and eventually, I realized I was good at it. I took it as a career, and it worked out well so far.”

He also stressed the importance of faith in his life, explaining that it plays a significant role not just in his career but in every aspect of his life. “Faith is something you have to have in this life. You can’t walk by sight, you have to walk by faith. Faith has guided me a lot through my life and not just my career alone,” he said. Adesanya added that faith helps him stay grounded, even when the outcome of a fight is uncertain. “I prepare for my fight through training, hard work, and sometimes, you don’t know what the outcome is going to be. You just have to have faith. Faith is something I hold on to in life in general, and it helps me in all parts of my life and even in my career.”

Adesanya offered further advice to young athletes, saying, “Don’t try and follow in my footsteps. I’d say create your path. Get inspiration from someone like myself and what I have done, and use it to further yourself in your own life. I feel like people trying to copy what someone’s done right now isn’t worth it. If you’re inspired by what someone has done, take that inspiration and use it in your own life.”

Adesanya, who arrived in Lagos last Wednesday, received a hero’s welcome despite his recent UFC 305 loss to South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis. He also visited his hometown of Esa-Oke in Osun State during his stay. The UFC star was seen enjoying Lagos nightlife as well, making an appearance at a popular club on Lagos Island on Friday night, an event he shared on his Instagram stories, catching the attention of fans and celebrities alike.

Despite his loss to Du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event, Adesanya reportedly earned more than the reigning champion. The historic fight, the first-ever UFC title clash between two African fighters, was held at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. Although Du Plessis successfully defended his UFC Middleweight Championship by forcing Adesanya to tap out in the fourth round, Adesanya secured a higher payout.

According to The Sportster, Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, was guaranteed $750,000 for the fight, while Du Plessis earned $500,000.

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