The recently dethroned UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya still wants to take the UFC to Africa. This is despite two of the promotion’s three “African Kings” – namely, Adesanya and fellow Nigerian Kamaru Usman – losing their titles this year. Adesanya pointed out the historic moment that the UFC’s African stars find themselves a part of in a recent interview with The MMA Hour.
When asked if it was too late to make UFC Africa happen, Adesanya’s answer was simple. “No, f*** no. F*** the belt. Come on, man. We’re us. It’s us. What we’ve done is still etched in history forever. There’s moments in history that will never, ever be — also, it’s not over.
Adesanya Wants To Make UFC Africa Happen
But like I said, there’s moments in history that will never be captured again. That will never be replicated again, and I am very proud to say I was part of that. Or, I am part of that, because we’re still writing the book. This ain’t over. Game ain’t over. I thought it was game over, but I guess we put in the coin again and play again.”
UFC president Dana White has also expressed serious interest in making a UFC Africa event happen, but has expressed concern about finding the right venue. Adesanya, born in Lagos, Nigeria, believes that while his homeland could make the event happen, there are other complications and concerns to consider.
“We can do it. I just… I know my people. Too much greed, too much red tape, and too much corruption. But money talks, and the UFC has a lot of money. I’m being honest.
I love my people, but the government… my people are beautiful people, but the government can be corrupt. Very corrupt. If they see dollar signs, it’ll be, ‘OK, we need this and that.’ I don’t know how all that s*** works, but trust me. Growing up in Nigeria, money talks.”
Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, seems like a logical choice to host the UFC’s first event on the continent. Both Adesanya and Usman are proven pay-per-view headliners, and both hail from Nigeria. The question of whether Nigeria has a venue big enough, with the appropriate accommodations, to host the UFC, is another story. Israel Adesanya, however, believes that with the right impetus, Nigeria can build a stadium worthy of the three kings.
“We can build one. My people will.” Do you think the UFC will ever go to Africa? Let us know in the comments.
