Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, from Nigeria, has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence in his home country of New Zealand. This happened after he was pulled over during a random breath test on August 19.
The charge was brought against him because his blood alcohol level was found to be 87 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, which is above the legal limit of 50 milligrams.
Adesanya is a well-known figure in the world of mixed martial arts, but this incident has cast a shadow over his achievements. It occurred just a few weeks before he lost his title match to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 on September 10.
READ ALSO: Israel Adesanya arrested in US airport days after losing UFC middleweight title to Pereira
Adesanya Apology
Adesanya has issued an apology for his actions, stating, “I want to say sorry to the community, my family, and my team for the bad choice I made to drive after drinking during dinner. I regret my decision to drive; it was wrong.
I understand that people may look up to me, and I want them to know that I don’t think this kind of behaviour is acceptable.”
The charge he faces carries potential fines and a jail sentence of up to three months. Adesanya’s lawyer is seeking to have the charges dropped without a guilty verdict, with a court date set for January 10.
READ ALSO: Tobi Amusan Bounces Back, Wins Diamond League Trophy
Tobi Amusan cleared of any doping allegations
In another news, Tobi Amusan, who holds the world record, has been completely cleared of doping allegations, and her provisional suspension has been lifted.
She has been permitted to participate in the upcoming World Athletics Championships starting this Saturday in Budapest, Hungary.
Earlier, she was temporarily suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) in July because she missed three tests in a year.
