Auckland Court hands out punishment to UFC star Israel Adesanya in highly publicized drunk driving case

Israel Adesanya has escaped jail time but received a driving ban and other penalties after pleading guilty to a drunk driving charge in Auckland, New Zealand. The highly publicized case stemmed from an August 2023 traffic stop. 'The Last Stylebender' was found to have a blood alcohol level of 87mg/100ml, exceeding the legal limit of 50mg/100ml.

While facing the possibility of three months imprisonment and a hefty fine, Adesanya's lawyer argued that jail time would significantly impact his career. Moreover, Adesanya himself expressed remorse for his actions.

The court ultimately granted Adesanya a discharge without conviction. However, he received a six-month driving disqualification, a $1,500 donation to an accredited drink-drive charity, and mandatory enrollment in a stop-drink-drive program.

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Israel Adesanya opens up about UFC 293 disappointment

Israel Adesanya has shed light on his underwhelming performance against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last September, attributing his defeat to a cautious game plan advised by his coach, Eugene Bareman.

The highly anticipated grudge match saw Strickland, a significant underdog, outclass Adesanya, leaving fans baffled. Now, in a recent YouTube video on his channel, Adesanya reveals a glimpse into his mindset during the fight, particularly in the latter rounds:

"I never lost hope, I went back to the corner, I was like right, whatever it was round three or round four, I was like right we go this round, we must go this round. Even when I asked Eugene [Bareman] in the fifth round.....and I said should I just go? And he's like nah nah let's be tactical. I kinda was like f**k it let's go, If I die I die, like go out on your shield."

Check out Israel Adesanya's comments below (13:58):

Despite his fighting spirit, Adesanya adhered to Bareman's guidance, resulting in a decisive loss. This strategic approach, seemingly crafted to counter Strickland's expected tactics, backfired, allowing the American to execute his plan flawlessly.

The loss marked a significant setback for the Kiwi fighter, who had previously dominated the middleweight division with five successful title defenses. Since then, he has announced a well-deserved break from competition, having fought four times in a grueling 14-month period. While rumors of retirement swirled, the former champ has dispelled them, assuring fans that he will be back in the octagon soon.