Nigerian-born UFC fighter, Israel Adesanya could face three months in jail after he pleaded guilty to drink driving.
The Last Stylebender was pulled over by coppers in his native Auckland, New Zealand, on August 19 after attending a dinner with his friends.
Adesanya was found to have 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – 37mg over the legal limit.
Adesanya appeared at Auckland District Court on Monday and entered a guilty plea to the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of three months in prison or a $2680 fine.
He said in a statement: “I want to apologise to the community, my family and my team for the decision I made to get behind the wheel after drinking at dinner.
“I was pulled over and gave an evidentiary blood test – the reading was 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.”
Adesanya, 34, offered no excuses for his DUI, saying: “I am disappointed with my decision to drive, it was wrong.
“I know that people might follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behaviour is acceptable.”
Adesanya’s arrest for drink driving came just three weeks before his second reigns as middleweight champion came to a spectacular end.
The City Kickboxing star suffered a shock unanimous decision defeat to 7/1 underdog Sean Strickland at UFC 293 earlier this month.
Adesanya looked flat and slow from the outset but offered no excuses for his stunning defeat.
He said on his YouTube channel: “He just never let me get into my rhythm at all.
“Just wasn’t able to get my rhythm because of his pressure.
“He was right there constantly. And whenever I was setting him up, because he’s right there, his coach would help him.
“Good game plan from their end, but also from me, I wasn’t able to adjust on the fly.”
