UFC icon Israel Adesanya recently had a memorable Uber experience when his driver mistook him for a chart-topping pop star.
The former undisputed UFC middleweight champion is currently taking a break from competitive fighting, exploring new ventures like DJing for an upcoming music festival. Following a recent run of four losses in his last five fights, three by stoppage, Adesanya is diversifying his interests outside the octagon.
While his prominence in the UFC is undeniable, it appears his celebrity wasn`t recognized in the way one might expect. Instead of identifying him as a formidable fighter, his Uber driver was seemingly anticipating the arrival of a renowned female rapper!
Humorous Identity Mix-Up: Adesanya`s Uber Driver Expects Iggy Azalea
Adesanya recently posted a video from an Uber ride where the driver commented on his resemblance to a well-known UFC fighter. Upon being asked his name, the driver confidently stated “Iggy Azalea,” much to the amusement of the former champion.
Adesanya eventually revealed his true identity, eliciting an excited reaction from the driver who was indeed familiar with his fighting career. The initial comical name mix-up wasn`t directly addressed, but Adesanya good-naturedly told the driver it was a pleasure to meet him, adding a witty remark about his widespread recognition.
Clearly entertained by the encounter, Adesanya shared the video with his 8.4 million followers, captioning it, “Tbh…we are two of Oceania’s biggest exports. ANZACUNITED.”
Israel Adesanya Supports Teammate at UFC Perth
Although his own return to the UFC octagon isn`t on the immediate horizon, Israel Adesanya remains closely connected to the sport. He was seen cageside at UFC Perth, cheering on his City Kickboxing teammate, Cam Rowston. Following his win, Rowston honored Adesanya by echoing a famous line from Adesanya`s own UFC debut interview several years ago.
In his post-fight interview, Rowston exclaimed, “Hey, middleweights, there’s a new dog in the yard,” gesturing towards Adesanya. This was a clear callback to Adesanya`s legendary statement after his victory over Rob Wilkinson seven years earlier: “There’s a new dog in the yard and I just p—ed all over this cage.”
Rowston further elaborated, “Seven years ago, right here in Perth, Western Australia, we witnessed one of the most legendary UFC debuts. That man, 6’4” and 185 lbs, also from City Kickboxing, is often imitated but never truly replicated.”
He concluded by urging fans, “What I’m saying is, jump on the Cam Rowston bandwagon now. This express train is heading straight to the top!”
Neville Whittle