Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-born UFC star, shared the motivation behind his journey into professional fighting.
He advised aspiring athletes to forge their own paths and seek inspiration from him and other accomplished athletes. Speaking at a Celestial Church of Christ service in Lagos, Adesanya revealed that he initially embraced fighting as a means of self-protection.
Donned in Celestial attire during the event, he acknowledged his proficiency in fighting as the catalyst for pursuing a career in the sport.
Adesanya also emphasized the significance of his father’s influence, acknowledging that his father’s support was instrumental in his journey as a fighter. When reflecting on his decision to pursue fighting professionally, he shared, “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 and I took it as a career, and it worked out well so far.”
Adesanya attributed a great deal of his success to faith, stating, “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 emphasized the importance of trust in oneself and a higher power, highlighting how faith has been a cornerstone in both his personal and professional life.
The Last Stylebender shared some valuable advice for aspiring 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.”
Despite his recent loss at UFC 305 to Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya received a warm welcome in Lagos and visited his hometown in Esa-Oke, Osun State.
He also enjoyed the vibrant nightlife in Lagos, hitting a popular club on Lagos Island. Despite the defeat, Adesanya reportedly outearned the reigning champion.
The bout, which took place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, saw Du Plessis successfully defend his UFC Middleweight Championship for the first time, forcing Adesanya to tap out in the fourth round.
The fight, which was the first-ever UFC title clash between two African fighters, held significant historical importance and generated substantial financial rewards for both competitors.
According to reports from The Sportster, Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, was guaranteed $750,000 for the fight, while Du Plessis got $500,000.
