Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has pleaded guilty to a charge of drink driving in Auckland, New Zealand earlier today, after he was charged with operating a motor vehicle, whilst 37 milligrams over the legal 50 milligram of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood limit.
Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion under the banner of the UFC, headlined the promotion’s return to Sydney, Australia at the beginning of this month, suffering a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at the Qudos Bank Arena in a return ‘Down Under’.
And per an initial report from the New Zealand Herald tonight, court documents obtained told how City Kickboxing striker, Adesanya, was charged with driving a vehicle on Wellesley Street in Auckland Central, New Zealand, submitting an evidentiary blood test which returned a 87 millilitres of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood level.
UFC superstar Israel Adesanya pleads guilty to drunk driving – NZ Herald https://t.co/zGIF4Rsh9A
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(@fightoracle) September 24, 2023
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Israel Adesanya issues apology to his family and team amid drink driving offense
Commenting on his charge and subsequent guilty plea at Auckland District Court this morning, Nigerian-Kiwi mixed martial artist, Adesanya issued an apology, before describing his behavior as unacceptable.
“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,” Israel Adesanya told the New Zealand Herald.
“I was pulled over and gave an evidentiary blood test – the reading was 87 millilitres of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood,” Israel Adesanya continued. “I am disappointed with my decision to drive, it was wrong. I know that people follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behavior is acceptable.
The maximum penalty Adesanya can face is a fine of $4,500, or three months behind bars, in relation to the alleged offense which is said to have taken place on August 19. last.
Karl Trotter, Adesanya’s legal representative sought a no-conviction plea in relation to the offense, which was subsequently granted by the sitting judge.