UFC fighter Israel Adesanya is arrested in New York

Published:

17 Nov 2022 12:47 GMT

The fighter was held at the airport when he was preparing to take a flight to New Zealand.

Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya’s stay in the US was not as expected, since after losing the middleweight title on Saturday, November 12, this Wednesday was stopped in the airport John F. Kennedy of New York for carry metal knuckles.

The fighter had planned to take a flight to New Zealand, where he lives, but when crossing the control zone of the air base, personnel from the Transportation Security Administration detained Adesanya, 33, for carrying an item that in New Zealand York is considered illegal. Possession of brass knuckles is a misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year in prison and fines.

“Israel received a gift from a fan, which he put in his luggage. When flagged at the airport, he quickly disposed of the item and cooperated with authorities,” commented his representative, Tim Simpson. In addition, he indicated that finally “the matter was dismissed and he is on his way home.”

Last Saturday, in the main event of UFC 281, Adesanya lost the middleweight title he had held since 2019, in a fight against Alex Pereira at Madison Square Garden in New York, after being knocked out in the fifth round.