Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, has reportedly been arrested for taking brass knuckles through security at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
The 33-year-old, who lost his title by TKO to Alex Pereira in New York last Saturday, was arrested by Port Authority police in the American Airlines terminal on Wednesday.
According to a report on Daily Mail, a Port Authority spokesperson at the John F. Kennedy Airport in New York confirmed the arrest, saying Adesanya was booked for possessing ‘metal knuckles.’
Brass knuckles are a Class A misdemeanor in New York, and it is also illegal to bring them aboard an airplane. It’s not clear where Adesanya allegedly stored the weapon.
Israel Adesanya’s manager, Tim Simpson, tells TMZ Sports: “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.”
Izzy aka Last Stylebender, despite losing the UFC Middleweight belt to Brazilian rival, Alex Pereira during the main event at UFC 281 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, is one of the best and most popular UFC fighters in the entire world.
Spokespeople from the UFC are yet to react to the incident.