Is Israel Adesanya gay? Uncertainty as Nigerian UFC star paints nails in style ahead of Sean Strickland fight

Nigerian and New Zealand professional mixed martial artist, and kickboxer Israel Mobolaji Adesanya is in the news.

The 34-year-old Adesanya has risen to the top of the trends ahead of his second defense of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight title.

Israel Adesanya, the middleweight champion of the UFC, has pledged to keep doing his nails for his forthcoming world title defense against longtime foe Sean Strickland in Sydney.

Next month at the Qudos Bank Arena, Adesanya will face off against the contentious Strickland.

Adesanya and Strickland's protracted dispute began when their fights were on the same UFC 276 card.

Strickland went on to lose against Alex Pereira while Adesanya recorded a win against Jared Cannonier.

Adesanya was referred to as "gay" at their news conference before that event by his rival, who is known for his colorful vocabulary and outrageous commentary.

Adesanya posted a picture of his painted nails that went viral social media.

The statement that said, "I call these “Drip Tips” 💅🏾✨

"Fun fact: French tips aren’t even from France.

"Argue amongst yourselves in the comments."

Adesanya is expected to show details of his private life in his new documentary Stylebender as the trailer dropped ahead of the release on September 28, 2023.

The next contender for the middleweight belt, Sean Strickland, has previously taken issue with middleweight champion Adesanya's reputation for maintaining his appearance and painting his nails.

The champion, however, is unwilling to alter his approach and is adamant that, whether or not Strickland has painted nails, he will be defeated.

Adesanya's opponent has made fun of him because it is well-known in MMA that he is passionate with both fashion and anime.

Adesanya who has questioned the creation of God, did not have compliments for Strickland in his latest statement ahead of the fight.

Speaking to MMA fighting Adesanya said, “He’s an idiot. I’m not going to lose to an idiot.

"He says he’s not going to lose to a guy that jerks off to cartoons or paints his nails.

"Well, I’m going to paint my nails for that fight and I’m going to knock him out with my painted nails. I don’t listen to people... I only listen to me and my team.

"And this guy, he’s already pissed me off with his energy. The way he comes across and the way he tries to antagonise me.

"I don’t like the way he conducts himself. Even his sparring footage will pop up in my feed sometimes and I’m just like what the f***? Who does that? He’s a gym hero.

"He’s just an idiot and he’s not the kind of person I associate myself with and also he’s Fugazi."

“The way he is normally backstage is not the same way when the crowd’s there.

"When the crowd’s there, he puts on the clown persona and tries to entertain people, which they love and it’s cool, but he’s not the same. I even put a little receipt, just one of them, on a clip I did backstage.

"If you want to have this energy at the press conference, you could have had this energy backstage when I smacked you on the ass. 

"He’s a fake guy. I’m going to paint my nails and knock him out.That vision right there gets me up.

"That’s what motivates me because I’ve had that vision of having my nails painted, knocking him out and just showing my nails to the camera like 'look, with my frosted tips, I knocked his b**** ass out'.

"That vision right there, to make that vision come true, I’ve done everything in my power make sure I knock this guy out.”

The accusation by Strickland that Adesanya is Gay is false, as he does not have any evidence to support it.

Adesanya has reportedly been in a relationship with his previous partner, Charlotte Powdrell reportedly demanded half on his wealth.

In Nigeria, homosexuality is typically seen as unacceptable.

The "Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill" allows for significant prison terms for people who enter into same-sex marriages, witness them, help them along, or encourage them, as well as for running and supporting gay clubs, societies, and organizations, as well as for openly displaying same-sex relationships.

Recently, there has been an explosion of Gay incidents that has required the attention of the authorities.

Adesanya thinks Strickland will present a distinct side of himself on stage before shifting when they interact privately.

He claims that it won't matter, though, because he will still pull off the knockout as planned and continue to hold his second middleweight title.