Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out after a satirical post went viral, falsely claiming he was removing "Israel" from his name because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Adesanya made it clear that he has no plans to change his name, but also explained where he stands on Palestine. 🗣️ "I support Palestine. I don't like genocides. I know my name, and how powerful my name is. I know who I am." The former UFC champion also strongly criticized attacks on hospitals and the ki**ing of children, making it clear that his name does not reflect his political beliefs. This isn't the first time Adesanya has publicly supported Palestine. He previously celebrated Belal Muhammad's UFC championship victory and expressed support for Palestinian refugees.
Israel Adesanya has addressed a viral satirical post that falsely claimed he was dropping "Israel" from his name over the conflict in the Middle East. The former UFC middleweight champion said he has no plans to change it, while restating his support for Palestine.
Adesanya said he knows who he is and how powerful his name is. "I support Palestine. I don't like genocides," he said, according to the report. He also strongly criticized attacks on hospitals and the killing of children, and made clear that his name is not a reflection of his political beliefs.
The fighter
Adesanya, 37, is a Nigerian-born middleweight who trains with City Kickboxing. He holds a 24-6-0 record and is currently ranked ninth in the division. The six-foot-four switch-stance striker, with an 80-inch reach, lands 4.03 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He rarely looks to wrestle, averaging just 0.05 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Earlier statements on Palestine
This is not the first time Adesanya has voiced support for Palestine. He previously celebrated Belal Muhammad's UFC championship victory and expressed support for Palestinian refugees.
Muhammad, 38, is a Roufusport welterweight from the United States. He is 24-5-0, ranked seventh at 170 pounds and eighth in the pound-for-pound standings. A grinding, volume-oriented fighter, he lands 4.43 significant strikes per minute and averages 2.14 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- The viral post spread a false claim about a high-profile fighter's name, and Adesanya moved to correct the record himself.
- His comments add to a pattern of public support for Palestine that predates this episode.
- Adesanya separated his political views from his name, saying the two are not connected.
