Adesanya, a Nigerian-born New Zealander and former middleweight champion, shared an unexpected account of financial hardship he faced following a loss to Alex Pereira during his kickboxing days in China. The fighter described a situation where the promotion he was associated with abruptly ceased offering him bouts, leaving him in dire financial straits.
“When I was fighting in China and I lost to Alex, they stopped giving me fights. I think, at the time, I was the highest-paid foreign fighter in China, but then they stopped giving me fights,” Adesanya revealed.
He earnestly requested the promotion, stating his case, “Look, I have seven more fights on my contract. Can I at least just get three? I just need three,” as his funds were rapidly depleting.
The circumstances became so dire that Adesanya found himself with only $500 left, a sum barely sufficient for a week’s worth of groceries.
It was during this challenging time that his coach, Eugene Bareman, intervened as a crucial financial support. Adesanya shared the poignant moment when Bareman urged him to check his bank balance, which brought him to tears of appreciation.
This experience highlights the unpredictable trajectory of a fighter's career and underscores the significance of having a strong support system. It stands in stark contrast to Adesanya’s recent prominent UFC journey, where he has alternated between winning and losing the middleweight title.
Despite facing recent challenges, including defeats against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, ‘The Last Stylebender’ remains determined to continue fighting. In a recent appearance on The Adam Carolla Show, Adesanya conveyed his ambition to compete again before the end of the year or early next year.
“At the moment, I want to fight one more time before the end of this year, or early next year. But I don’t know yet. I’m just training, building off where we left off,” Adesanya stated.
The combatant also candidly addressed his recent defeat to du Plessis, acknowledging a tactical miscalculation when he gestured toward the ground after slipping.
As Adesanya strategizes his return, enthusiasts and analysts are eager to witness the subsequent phase for the versatile combatant who has demonstrated his fortitude both within and beyond the octagon.