Israel Adesanya, the Nigerian-born Kiwi UFC star and former middleweight champion, has shared a shocking tale of hardship during his kickboxing days in China.

On The JRE podcast, Adesanya recounted how a loss to Alex Pereira led to a sudden halt in fight opportunities, leaving him financially strained.

After being the highest-paid foreign fighter in China, Adesanya found himself without bouts, pleading with the promotion for just three more fights to fulfill his contract. His funds dwindled to just $500, barely covering a week’s groceries.

It was then that his coach, Eugene Bareman, stepped in, providing a financial lifeline that left Adesanya in tears of gratitude.

This revelation highlights the unpredictable nature of a fighter’s career and the importance of a supportive team. Adesanya’s recent UFC career has seen highs and lows, including multiple middleweight title wins and losses.

Despite setbacks, including losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, Adesanya seeks to fight again by year’s end or early next year. In a recent interview on The Adam Carolla Show, he expressed his desire to return to the octagon.

Adesanya also reflected on his loss to du Plessis, acknowledging a tactical error. As he plots his comeback, fans eagerly await the next chapter in the resilient fighter’s journey.