UFC star Israel Adesanya recently opened up about a difficult period in his career, revealing that he faced financial hardship after losing to Alex Pereira during his kickboxing days in China. On The JRE podcast, the Nigerian-born Kiwi and former UFC middleweight champion shared that after his defeat, the promotion stopped offering him fights, leaving him in dire financial straits.

Adesanya, once the highest-paid foreign fighter in China, pleaded with the promotion for more fights to fulfill his contract. However, his funds dwindled, leaving him with just $500 to cover basic needs. His coach, Eugene Bareman, eventually stepped in to provide financial support, an emotional moment that brought Adesanya to tears.

This revelation highlights the unpredictability of a fighter’s career and the importance of a supportive team. Despite recent setbacks in the UFC, including losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, Adesanya remains determined to return to the octagon, aiming for a fight before the end of the year or early 2025.