Israel Adesanya Opens Up About Financial Struggles After Pereira Loss

UFC star Israel Adesanya has opened up about a dark period in his career when he faced severe financial hardship after a loss to Alex Pereira during his kickboxing days in China.

The Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter, known for his confident persona and striking style in the octagon, shared the unexpected story on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

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He explained that after his loss to Pereira, the promotion he was fighting for suddenly stopped offering him bouts. “I think at the time, I was the highest-paid foreign fighter in China, but then they stopped giving me fights,” Adesanya recalled. Desperate to make ends meet, he pleaded with the promotion, saying, “Look, I have seven more fights on my contract. Can I at least just get three? I just need three.”

Adesanya’s financial situation deteriorated rapidly, leaving him with just $500—barely enough to buy groceries for the week.

At his lowest point, his coach, Eugene Bareman, stepped in and offered support. Adesanya recounted the emotional moment when Bareman told him to check his bank account, and upon discovering a financial lifeline, he was moved to tears of gratitude.

This behind-the-scenes struggle highlights the often precarious nature of a fighter’s career and the importance of a strong support system.

Adesanya’s current UFC success contrasts sharply with his past difficulties, having won and lost the middleweight title multiple times.

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Despite recent setbacks, including losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, Adesanya remains determined.

In a recent interview on The Adam Carolla Show, he expressed his desire to fight once more by the end of the year or early next year. “I want to fight one more time before the end of this year or early next year. But I don’t know yet. I’m just training, building off where we left off,” he said.

Adesanya also addressed his loss to du Plessis, admitting to a tactical mistake during the bout. As he prepares for his next fight, fans are eager to see how The Last Stylebender will bounce back from his recent challenges and continue to leave his mark on the sport.

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