UFC’s Israel Adesanya visits Osun as kinsmen prepare to honour him
Nigerian-born mixed martial artist, Israel Adesanya, has visited his country home in Osun State.
A leader in his town of Esa Oke, Chief Akin Onifade, said the UFC star would be honoured by the people of Esa-Oke.
Chief Onifade, the Sajuku of Esa-Oke said Adesanya would be honoured at the Esa-Oke Day celebration later this year.
Adesanya arrived in Lagos on Wednesday, few days after losing the UFC 305 crown to South African Dricus Du Plessis.
After five consecutive UFC wins, Adesanya won the interim middle weight title against Kelvin Castelum in April, 2019 and unified the champion with a talent victory against Robert Whittaker in October that year.
Onifade said that Adesanya was given a carnival-like welcome at the palace of the Owa- Omiran of Esa-Oke, Oba Alayeluwa Adeyemi Adediran on Thursday.
“The Esa-Oke born UFC star was ushered into the palace by traditional drummers in company of an enthusiastic crowd of highly elated youths and family members and other eminent Nigerians.
“The elated Owa-Omiran was full of praises to God for the feats achieved by the young artist, and prayed extensively for his glory to continue to shine brighter and brighter to the glory of God.
“The revered Owa-Omiran announced that the Ananye ruling house born Israel will be honoured during the Esa-Oke Day celebration later this year,” he said.