The UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya credits his father, affectionately nicknamed “Dadesanya”, with keeping him on the straight and narrow despite his burgeoning fame. He told MMA Fighting that, although his penchant for trash talk both in and outside of the Octagon has courted controversy, unlike some other UFC stars he won’t be taking up space in the celebrity gossip headlines.
“Knock on wood, you won’t catch me on TMZ doing something crazy. Because I have the right people around me. The right people who ground me. I keep my circle very tight and I make sure I’m loved.
Adesanya: “You Won’t Catch Me On TMZ Doing Something Crazy”
I’m surrounded by people who actually give a f*ck about me, who love me, who want the best for me and vice versa and I do the same for them. I’ve evolved but I keep the same energy. I said that from the jump. I keep the same energy.”
Is this a subtle dig at his more controversial colleagues? The UFC roster is no stranger to TMZ craziness, with the likes of Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and even retiree Chuck Liddell hitting the headlines recently. It might seem to an outsider that bad behavior and a career in combat sports go hand in hand. However, “The Last Stylebender” is adamant that he’ll continue to behave himself – relatively speaking – thanks to the positive influence of his father.
“I’m so glad I have one of the smartest men with money behind me. Rest in peace to Khabib’s dad. He was a guy that was with his son, cornering him, training him, building him up for fighting.
I’m glad I have the smartest man I know with money, my dad, behind me, training me, building me up on how to flip my money the right way.”
His father, an accountant, was instrumental in Adesanya negotiating his latest UFC deal, which reportedly is their second-biggest – right behind superstar Conor McGregor.
Adesanya was sure to remind his fans that he’s far from perfect, but will continue to do his best. “I’m not saying I’m perfect.
I’m not a f*cking saint. I’m just a person. There’s no good or bad people. They’re just people and people are capable of great good and great evil.
Yeah, I have my flaws. I have things I’m not proud of. I have a past as well. But I learn from my mistakes unlike some people. I actually learn from my mistakes and I never repeat them again.
That’s why I’m on the path that I’m on and also what I said before, I have the right people around me who love me and want the best for me.” Do you agree with Israel Adesanya? Let us know in the comments.
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