Tobias Sylvester
Nigerian-New Zealand UFC fighter, Israel Adesanya has been arrested at the John F. Kennedy airport in New York over the alleged illegal possession of a weapon.
Israel Adesanya Arrested
It was gathered that the 33-year-old fighter was arrested by the Port Authority Police Department while going through security with brass knuckles.
According to TMZ, the self-acclaimed ‘Stylebender’ was said to be in possession of the brass knuckles which are classified as illegal and class A misdemeanor weapons in New York.
The UFC star’s manager claims the fighter was given them as a present by a fan. Brass knuckles are pieces of metal shaped to fit around the knuckles. They are also fist-load weapons used in hand-to-hand combat.
Adesanya was however released shortly after being questioned by officials at the airport and has been flown home to New Zealand.
“Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage,” said Tim Simpson of Paradigm Sports Management, who represents the mixed martial artist, in a 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.
The Nigerian-New Zealand fighter 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 New York authorities on Wednesday.
