Adesanya apologizes over rape remarks

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has apologized after he said on social media he would “rape” fellow fighter Kevin Holland.

Recall that Nigerian-born Adesanya posted an expletive-laden video on Instagram earlier this week directed at Holland, who had targeted him in a series of remarks.

The 31-year-old, who currently resides in New Zealand, later deleted the video and said he had “crossed the line”.

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“I understand the gravity of this word and how it can affect and hurt other people apart from my opponent, although that was never my intention,” Adesanya tweeted.

“I am still growing under the spotlight, and I take this as a lesson to be more selective with words under pressure.”

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— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) March 25, 2021

However, Adesanya’s apology came after Grant Robertson, New Zealand’s deputy prime minister and minister of sport and recreation, condemned his comment.