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.

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.

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“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.

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.

Read More: 141 Days After Hollywood-Style UFC Ending, Israel Adesanya Claims Dana White’s $11,900,000 Success Was Achieved With No Effort From His End- “Fight Is Already Sold You Know”

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.

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.

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