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Israel Adesanya embraces Nigerian heritage with a message from High Commissioner to New Zealand.
New Zealand professional mixed martial artist of Nigerian descent Israel Mobolaji Adesanya continues to connect with his roots.
The 33-year-old recorded a knockout victory against Brazilian professional mixed martial artist Alexsandro Pereira in the main event of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 287 on Sunday, April 9, 2023.
It was a sweet victory for Adesanya as he reclaimed the UFC Middleweight title from Pereira.
Israel Adesanya embraces Nigeria
Israel Adesanya recaptured the UFC Middleweight title from Alex Pereira while flying the Nigerian flag.
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Kamarudeen Usman, a professional mixed martial artist from Nigeria and a former Welterweight champion, joined Adesanya in the celebration.
Recently, Usman was unable to defeat British professional mixed martial artist of Jamaican heritage Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship.
But The Nigerian Nightmare traveled to Florida's Miami-Dade Arena to stand behind his countryman.
Usman presented Adesanya to his daughter, who was also in the front row, after a dance routine and a brotherly embrace.
Adesanya also met with David Njoku, a tight end for the National Football League's Cleveland Browns.
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Using the customary Igbo Kwneu meeting, the style bender welcomed Njoku before suggesting they team up with Usman at about eleven o'clock.
Israel Adesanya gets a letter from Nigerian High Commissioner in New Zealand
Adesanya has now continued celebrating showing off a prestigious letter on his social media platforms.
The Last style bender received a congratulatory message from the Nigerian High Commissioner in New Zealand.
The letter to Adesanya was addressed by High Commissioner Ambassador Anderson Madubike.
The message in part said, "On behalf of the Government and the people of Nigeria, my family, and staff of the Mission, I have the honour to congratulate you on your remarkable achievement on Sunday, 9th April 2023 in Miami, to regain the UFC middlweight title.
"It was an amazing achievement befitting the Nigerian spirit and your incredible attitude of never giving up."
Background
The letter from the Nigerian high commissioner comes as validation to Adesanya who has been accused of not being African.
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South African contender Dricus Du Plessis earlier questioned the authenticity of Adesanya as an African because he resides in New Zealand and the United States of America (USA).
Adesanya teased and fight in Nigeria or South Africa and responded at the press conference.
He said, “I don’t wanna give this n**** clout. “I don’t. I wanna whoop his ass so bad. I wanna whoop his ass so bad.
"I wanna do it in South Africa, or Nigeria, but he’s got to do work, he’s got to do something, show me something, so I can whoop that ass and I can show you history.
“I’ll remind you, because you got to choose your words wisely when you speak on people that have come before you, people that paved the way for you.
"You gotta pick your words wisely. You wanna try and be a big boy – I want be with the big boys. Go choose your words wisely, but I don’t wanna give him no clout.
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10:25 - 11.04.2023
UFC Israel Adesanya teases fight in Nigeria or South Africa
Israel Adesanya wants to destroy Dricus Du Plessis in Nigeria or South Africa.
“But if he does work and, and, I pray to God, he keeps winning, I will gladly drag his carcass across South Africa.”
Adesanya is now expected to take a break before a return to the octagon later this year.
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