UFC: Israel Adesanya Seemed Destined to Lose at UFC 293 After Surprise Revelation

(Photo : Mark Evans/Getty Images) SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Israel Adesanya of Nigeria poses on the scale during the weigh in for UFC 293 at the Hilton.

Mixed martial arts fighter Israel Adesanya lost the UFC middleweight title to Sean Strickland last September 10, and it appears he was destined to do so.

It seems the "Stylebender" already has a lot on his plate following reports that Adesanya was charged with drink-driving, per the NZ Herald.

According to court documents, the deposed middleweight champion was charged with driving a car on Wellesley St. in Auckland with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood on August 19. This was way over the legal limit in New Zealand of 50 milligrams per New Zealand regulations. He pled guilty to drinking and driving weeks before the incident.

The incident happened weeks before his title fight against Strickland, which was on September 9. Adesanya lost by unanimous decision to Strickland at UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.

"I am disappointed with my decision to drive; it was wrong," Adesanya said in a statement. "I know that people might follow me, and I want them to know I do not think this behavior is acceptable."

The maximum penalty for the offense is three months imprisonment or a fine of $4,500. No conviction will be entered after the judge granted the request of Adesanya's lawyer, Karl Trotter.

Isreal Adesanya is expected to return to court on January 10, 2024, MMA Junkie reported.

As far as his UFC career is concerned, there remains no clarity on what lies ahead. A rematch with Strickland is possible, according to UFC president Dana White, although nothing is set in stone.