Israel Adesanya, the eldest son of his parents, wasn’t blessed with fighting genes from his bloodline. However, he managed to become one of the best fighters all over the world. Aged 34, he is the only 2x UFC middleweight champion and an elite kickboxer.
That said, Adesanya might have earned the fighting spirit from his parents, who had to fight their way to earn a comfortable livelihood. While the family doesn’t seem to be worrying about money any longer, here’s a look back at Israel Adesanya’s childhood and his parents.
Who are Israel Adesanya’s Parents?
Israel Adesanya was born to Oliwafemi (father) and Taiwo (mother) on July 22, 1989 in Lagos, Nigeria. The UFC star’s father was an accountant on a farm while his mother used to work as a nurse in a medical center. Other than ‘Izzy’, the couple has four more children.
Adesanya’s sibling- David is reportedly an accountant while Deborah and Samuel are both nurses. The UFC fighter’s youngest sibling Bolu is currently studying. The family resides in New Zealand at the time but doesn’t seem to have forgotten their Nigerian roots even today. ‘Izzy’ proudly carries the Nigerian flag and doesn’t shy from representing his birth nation on the biggest sports stages.
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Why did Israel Adesanya Shift from Nigeria To New Zealand During Childhood?
It is claimed that Israel Adesanya’s parents were extremely serious bout providing the best for their children. Hence, the Adesanya family moved from the African country to New Zealand in search of a better livelihood. Upon moving to New Zealand, the family began residing in Rotorua city, located on the Northern Island.
It was hard for Adesanya to pursue fighting. However, he never let the negative aspects conquer the mind. ‘Izzy’ began competing in kickboxing bouts, where he gained prominence. Adesanya was an elite striker who went on to stop several great kickboxers. Nevertheless, his transition from kickboxing to MMA earned ‘Izzy’ the extreme spotlight.
After entering the UFC, Adesanya became the middleweight champion in just under two years, stopping all A-listed Martial Artists in the division. Not only that, but ‘The Last Stylebender’ also became a superstar of the sport and a PPV genius for Dana White’s promotion.
