Nigerian-born UFC star Israel Adesanya recently shared insights into his journey as a professional fighter, urging aspiring athletes to forge their own paths rather than simply following in his footsteps.
Speaking during a visit to a Celestial Church of Christ service in Lagos, Adesanya reflected on how he began fighting as a means of self-defense. Dressed in traditional Celestial garments, he noted that his decision to pursue a fighting career stemmed from recognizing his talent in the sport.
Adesanya credited his father for his support throughout his journey, emphasizing that he might not have achieved success without that backing. “That’s a long story, but for me, I was just standing up for myself. I learned how to fight and eventually realized I was good at it, which led me to take it as a career,” he explained.
The mixed martial artist also highlighted the importance of faith in his life and career. “Faith is something you have to have in this life. You can’t walk by sight; you have to walk by faith. It has guided me through various challenges, not just in my career,” he said.
When advising young athletes, Adesanya stressed the importance of individuality: “Don’t try to follow in my footsteps. Instead, find your own path. Use my journey as inspiration to further your own life.” He believes that merely imitating others is not worthwhile; rather, inspiration should be transformed into personal growth.
Despite his recent loss to South African fighter Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305, Adesanya received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Lagos last Wednesday. He also visited his hometown of Esa-Oke in Osun State and enjoyed the vibrant nightlife, sharing glimpses of his outings on social media.
The bout at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, marked a historic moment as the first UFC title fight between two African fighters. Although Adesanya lost, he reportedly earned $750,000, surpassing Du Plessis’s $500,000 payout for successfully defending his UFC Middleweight Championship.
