UFC star Israel Adesanya arrested at JFK airport for possessing metal knuckles following Alex Pereira defeat
ISRAEL ADESANYA has been arrested at New York’s JFK Airport for possessing metal knuckles.
The UFC superstar lost his middleweight belt at NYC’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday night, being defeated by old kickboxing rival Alex Pereira via fifth round TKO.
Getty Images – GettyIsrael Adesanya was beaten by Alex Pereira on Saturday night[/caption]
Adesanya, 33, made to leave New York on Wednesday afternoon.
According to TMZ he was arrested at JFK Airport for “criminal possession of a weapon”.
The weapon in question is claimed to be a set of metal knuckles, which are illegal in New York state.
Adesanya was arrested by cops at 1:57pm local time.
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His manager Tim Simpson swiftly issued a statement to MMA reporter Ariel Helwani.
It read: “Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage.
“When flagged at the airport, Israel quickly disposed of the item, and cooperated with authorities.
“He has complied accordingly, with that the matter was dismissed and he is on his way home.”
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TMZ claimed that the Last Stylebender could have been issued a Desk Appearance Ticket.
This would have seen him ordered to appear in court for an arraignment.
Alternatively, they added that he could even have remained in custody.
Adesanya went into Saturday night’s fight on the back of FIVE consecutive middleweight title defences.
He took on old rival from kickboxing Pereira – with the Brazilian having TWICE beaten him in his former discipline.
The dethroned champ was comfortably leading his foe on the scorecards going into round five, before being shocked by a flurry of brutal punches by the relative MMA newcomer.
