Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, is facing potential legal consequences following his guilty plea to drunk-driving charges. The incident occurred on August 19, just three weeks prior to his UFC 293 loss to Sean Strickland, when Adesanya encountered a Random Breath Testing unit in Auckland after dining with friends.
Adesanya was found to have 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in his system, exceeding the legal limit of 50 milligrams. His plea was entered at the Auckland District Court, and in a statement to The New Zealand Herald, Adesanya expressed remorse, stating,
“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 a dinner.
“I was pulled over and gave an evidentiary blood test, the reading was 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
“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 behavior is acceptable.”
According to ESPN, Adesanya may face penalties of up to a $2,680 fine and/or a potential jail term of up to three months. His sentencing is scheduled for January 10, where the court will determine the appropriate consequences for his actions.
