Former UFC champion, Israel Adesanya has been released after being briefly detained at a New York airport on Wednesday following attempt to go through security with brass knuckles.
Quoting the Port Authority police, MMA Fighting said
Adesanya was arrested at approximately 1:57 p.m. ET on Wednesday at JFK
Terminal for possession metal knuckles.
Brass knuckles, made of metal or plastic, are illegal in New
York and its possession is considered a misdemeanor punishable up to one year
in prison plus fines.
A statement by Adesanya’s manager Tim Simpson of Paradigm
Sports Management disclosed that the Nigerian-New Zealand mixed martial artist
has already been released and has been flown home to New Zealand.
“Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his
luggage,” Simpson said in the statement. “When flagged at the airport, Israel
quickly disposed of the item, and cooperated with authorities.
“He has complied accordingly, with that the matter was
dismissed and he is on his way home.”
Adesanya had been in New York for several days as he
prepared for his fight against Alex Pereira in the main event at UFC 281.
He lost the UFC middleweight title after ultimately
suffering a fifth-round knockout loss to Alex Pereira in what was only his
second career defeat.
Adesanya remained in New York after the fight but now
appears on his way home after briefly being detained by authorities on
Wednesday.