
USA Today via Reuters
MMA: UFC 271-Adesanya vs Whittaker, Feb 12, 2022 Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES Israel Adesanya red gloves before the fight against Robert Whittaker blue gloves during UFC 271 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports, 12.02.2022 23:17:05, 17676709, NPStrans, Israel Adesanya, Toyota Center, MMA, Robert Whittaker PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTroyxTaorminax 17676709

USA Today via Reuters
MMA: UFC 271-Adesanya vs Whittaker, Feb 12, 2022 Houston, Texas, UNITED STATES Israel Adesanya red gloves before the fight against Robert Whittaker blue gloves during UFC 271 at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports, 12.02.2022 23:17:05, 17676709, NPStrans, Israel Adesanya, Toyota Center, MMA, Robert Whittaker PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xTroyxTaorminax 17676709
Fame is not without drawbacks. While UFC stars garner millions of fans, they are also heavily subjected to public scrutiny. Further, their private lives run the risk of being exposed to the public eye. Uncomfortable encounters with fans have become the norm. One such took place when Israel Adesanya used a public gym.
The middleweight champion’s actions have always divided the fans. His celebrity status has also added to his woes whenever he availed of any public space services. Despite this, ‘The Last Stylebender’ sometimes heads to the public gym to train to overcome public anxiety. However, once when he found himself being recorded secretly, he had a lesson for the perpetrators.
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Israel Adesanya fans put him in an awkward situation
The 34-year-old fighter detailed his public anxiety struggles as he shared an anecdote in a conversation with the People. He said, “Yesterday at the gym, I had to scold two young ladies for secretly filming me.”
The middleweight kingpin mentioned he was at the gym with his trainer, and he could see the fans filming it. Furthermore, he stated he could “feel” it as they kept their phones in the air. Following this, the Nigerian-Kiwi fighter expressed it was “bubbling” inside him. Then, he had to approach the fans and try to explain his perspective with an example.

via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 07: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria battles Yoel Romero (not pictured) in their UFC middleweight championship fight during the UFC 248 event at T-Mobile Arena on March 07, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
“So I went up to them calmly, and I was like, ‘Excuse me, I know you were filming me; please don’t lie to me about it. But how would you feel if any of these dudes in this gym were secretly filming you?’ And then straight away, straight away, they say, Oh, I’m so sorry,’ “ Adesanya added.
The 24-2 record holder labeled it a teaching moment where he had to explain to the fans the ethical line. And according to him, the best measure is to educate rather than humiliate. However, this was not the first time his fans put him in an odd spot.
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Adesanya faced potential prison time due to his fans
The authorities once stopped the former kickboxer at JFK airport for possessing brass knuckles. These were a gift from a fan, and he even made a trip to the prison. He could have faced a similar situation when he almost took a samurai sword from a fan.
While Adesanya has always been a crowd-puller and a fan favorite, he also finds himself in the midst of controversial situations. Therefore, he tries to avoid taking gifts from the fans.
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Notably, the fans can witness him in action at the upcoming UFC 292 as he defends his title against Sean Strickland. What do you make of this anecdote by Israel Adesanya? Do you believe fame has its drawbacks? Let us know in the comments below.
Watch this story: Jorge Masvidal Wins the Race Against Mike Tyson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Triple H to Become Dwayne Johnson’s Successor at UFC 291 for the BMF Title
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