He encouraged young athletes to forge their own unique paths
rather than simply imitating his journey, while also drawing inspiration from
him and other renowned sports figures.
During a recent visit to a Celestial Church of Christ
service in Lagos, Adesanya explained that he began fighting as a means of
self-protection.
In a video captured by our correspondent, the Last
Stylebender, dressed in traditional Celestial attire, mentioned that he chose
to become a professional fighter upon recognizing his talent in the sport.
He also acknowledged the significant influence of his
father, emphasizing that his father's support was crucial to his development as
a fighter.
When inquired about his choice to pursue a career in
fighting, he responded, “It’s quite a lengthy explanation, but essentially, I
was defending myself. It was necessary for me to learn how to fight, and over
time, I discovered that I had a talent for it. I decided to turn it into a
career, and it has been successful for me thus far.”
Adesanya also asserted that his religious beliefs have had a
significant impact on his professional trajectory. He emphasized that in
addition to his meticulous preparation for fights, he places great importance
on his faith.
He said, “Faith is something you have to have in this life.
You can’t walk by side, you have to walk by faith. Faith has guided me a lot
through my life and not just my career alone.
“I just trust in myself and trust in the high power. I trust
and believe in who I am and I stand steadfast in it.”
“I prepare for my fight through training, hard work, and
sometimes, you don’t know what the outcome is going to be and you just have to
have faith.
“Faith is something I hold on to in life in general and it
helps me in all parts of my life and even in my career,” Adesanya added.
In terms of providing guidance to aspiring athletes, the
renowned athlete known as the last stylebender shared his insights. He
emphasized the importance of forging one’s own path rather than attempting to
replicate his achievements. He encouraged individuals to draw inspiration from
his journey and accomplishments, utilizing them as a catalyst for personal
growth and success in their respective athletic endeavors.
“I feel like people trying to copy what someone’s done right
now isn’t worth it. If you’re inspired by what someone has done, take that
inspiration and use it in your own life.”
The athlete returned to Lagos last Wednesday to a warm
reception, despite his recent defeat at UFC 305 against South African
competitor Dricus Du Plessis. He also took the opportunity to visit his
hometown of Esa-Oke in Osun State.
Adesanya was later seen enjoying the vibrant nightlife of
Lagos, visiting a well-known club on Lagos Island on Friday night. He shared
moments from his night out on his Instagram stories, capturing the attention of
both fans and celebrities.
Although he lost to Dricus Du Plessis in an exciting main
event at UFC 305, Adesanya reportedly earned a higher payout than the reigning
champion.
The match, held at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, marked
Du Plessis's first successful defense of the UFC Middleweight Championship,
with Adesanya tapping out in the fourth round.
This fight was historically significant as it was the first
UFC title bout between two African fighters, yielding considerable financial
benefits for both athletes.
Reports from The Sportster indicate that Adesanya, a former
two-time middleweight champion, was guaranteed $750,000 for his participation,
while Du Plessis received $500,000.
However, Eugene Bareman, the coach of Israel Adesanya, has suggested that the MMA fighter may make a return to the UFC in 2024.
Following his recent defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, Bareman indicated that Adesanya is eager to re-enter the octagon in the near future.
He highlighted that the Nigerian-born athlete continues to train alongside fellow fighters from City Kickboxing, which could facilitate a comeback this year.
This potential return could represent a pivotal moment in Adesanya’s career as he aims to reclaim his status in the middleweight division.