UFC: Adesanya arrested In US for carrying Brass knuckle

Israel Adesanya was arrested and briefly detained at a New York airport on Wednesday after he attempted to go through security with brass knuckles.

The 33-year-old, who suffered only the second defeat of his career, lost his title by Knockout 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 — made of metal or plastic — are illegal in New York and possession is considered a misdemeanor punishable up to one year in prison plus fines.

Adesanya’s manager Tim Simpson of Paradigm Sports Management issued a statement to MMA Fighting while also stating that the former UFC champion has already been released and he’s currently flying home to New Zealand.

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“Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage,” Simpson said in the statement. “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.”

Adesanya’s Saturday loss has seen him plummet down the pound-for-pound rankings, dropping from No. 2 to No. 8 on MMAfighting.com.

A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya is now a citizen of New Zealand and currently lives in Auckland.