Israel Adesanya dances with Kamaru Usman, David Njoku shows off Nigerian flag

Israel Mobolaji Adesanya, a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand with Nigerian ancestry, has recaptured the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

In the early hours of Sunday, April 9, 2023, Adesanya won the UFC 287 main event against Alexsandro Pereira, a professional mixed martial artist from Brazil.

Adesanya gave a standout effort, maintaining forward pressure for the majority of the bout. He didn't want to take a big step back and let Pereira apply intense pressure.

Pereira kept attacking the front leg as Adesanya frequently changed his position. Adesanya appeared to be feeling the effects of it.

He claimed, however, that he had always known what he was doing and had prepared Pereira for the finish. 

He wasn't hurt, but by making Pereira think he was, he set up the most thrilling victory of his career.

The Nigerian flag was on display as Israel Adesanya reclaimed the UFC Middleweight title from Alex Pereira 

Adesanya celebrated with former Welterweight champion American and Nigerian professional mixed martial artist Kamarudeen Usman.

Usman recently was unable to reclaim the UFC welterweight title from British professional mixed martial artist of Jamaican descent Leon Edwards.

The Nigerian Nightmare however came to the  Miami-Dade Arena in Florida to support his compatriot.

After a dance move and brotherly embrace, Usman introduced Adesanya to his daughter also in the front row.

Adesanya also met up with David Njoku American football tight end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League.

The style bender hailed Njoku with the traditional Igbo Kwneu meeting before suggesting they team up with Usman around 11.

Adesanya now returns to the top of the Middlweight division and will not be short of challengers ahead of his return to the octagon later this year.