Adesanya responds to UFC officials' criticism of post-fight celebration
Warning: This story contains coarse language
Israel Adesanya is making his mark on the UFC in a fast and interesting fashion.
The highly touted prospect made his UFC debut in February with a second-round TKO win over Rob Wilkinson, which he followed up with a controversial celebration, pretending to urinate in the corner of the Octagon.
Adesanya, a native of New Zealand, meant to mark his territory with the celebration, but UFC officials were not so impressed.
"They told my manager that, 'We handle a lot of sponsors, millions of dollars in sponsors. So for him to pretend to be with his dick out and shaking it after he pees as well or whatever, it’s not really a good look,'" Adesanya told Flo Combat's "Top Turtle MMA" podcast.
Adesanya disagrees with the officials' recommendation, pointing out that he is in the business of inflicting damage on other human beings.
“For me, how I see it is, fuck, what are the sponsors worried about: Me pretending to whip an imaginary dick out and pee everywhere to mark my territory or just watching me just beat the fuck out of a dude?" said the middleweight.
The 28-year-old, who is scheduled to face Marvin Vettori in April, says the officials' comments to his manager won't stop him from making "a statement."
"Any top dog would do it," Adesanya said. "My stench is still there. Whenever I get back into the cage, I’m sure I’ll smell it."