Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-New Zealander professional mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and former boxer, has captivated the sports world with his exceptional skills and unique persona. As a sports enthusiast, you’re likely curious to learn more about his personal life and background. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key details that make Israel Adesanya the remarkable athlete he is today.
Early Life and Background
Israel Adesanya was born on July 22, 1989, in Lagos, Nigeria, as the eldest of five children. His father, Oluwafemi, is an accountant, and his mother, Taiwo, is a nurse. Adesanya is of Yoruba ethnicity and attended Chrisland School in Opebi before moving to Rotorua, New Zealand, at the age of 10. He later attended Rotorua Boys’ High School and enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Computer Design at the Universal College of Learning in Whanganui.
Martial Arts Training and Career
Adesanya’s journey in the world of martial arts began at the age of 18, when he started training in kickboxing after watching the movie “Ong-Bak.” At the age of 21, he moved to Auckland, New Zealand, and began training in mixed martial arts under Eugene Bareman at City Kickboxing.
Adesanya made his professional MMA debut in 2012 and signed with the UFC in December 2017. He is a former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion and has a professional MMA record of 24 wins and 3 losses.
In addition to his MMA career, Adesanya has a strong background in Muay Thai and kickboxing, with an amateur record of 32-0 and a professional record of 75-5, including 48 KO’s.
Personal Life and Interests
Adesanya is a multilingual individual, fluent in Yoruba, Nigerian Pidgin, and English. He is a fan of anime and has expressed a desire to start an anime production company after retiring from fighting. His nickname “The Last Stylebender” is a reference to the anime-influenced cartoon series “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”
Adesanya is also a professional wrestling fan and has become the first mixed martial arts athlete to sign a sponsorship deal with Puma in September 2020.
Financial Information
Israel Adesanya earns a salary of $2,807,000 per year, and his net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, he has earned significant amounts from his fights, including $1,542,000 from UFC 271 and $500,000 from a pay-per-view event at T-Mobile Arena.
