'Bro I will f***ing rape you': UFC's Israel Adesanya slammed for threatening Kevin Holland with 'shameful' taunt
In an Instagram video directed at Kevin Holland, Nigerian-born New Zealand professional mixed martial artist Israel Adesanya whose full name is Israel Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya is heard hurling disturbing insults. Holland had reportedly "targeted" Adesanya with a "series of insulting remarks." The now-deleted post reportedly saw Adesanya say, "Bro, I will f**kin’ rape you." Adesanya, 31, a UFC middleweight champion made his debut into the UFC back in 2018 and is reportedly ranked fifth in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings as of March 23, 2021.
The controversial video was broadcasted to Adesanya's 4.6 million Instagram followers and his comment was "condemned" by senior political leaders. The City Kickboxing fighter's reaction has earned a rebuke from anti-rape campaigners as well who fear it 'normalizes threats of sexual violence'.
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The probable cause
Adesanya's rant could have stemmed from the fact that just a week ago, the American wrestler, Holland had quite a lot to spew about others in his division - especially Adesanya - as he hyped his weekend fight against Derek Brunson at UFC Vegas 22. Holland was looking to make a statement in an effort to cut the championship line. Tenth-ranked Holland went on to lose the fight, with UFC boss Dana White blaming a "mental breakdown" while others are saying Brunson really stifled Holland’s attack.
Social media does think it is 'a flippant issue'
There were major reactions to Adesanya's comment about 'rape' with New Zealand’s deputy prime minister Grant Robertson saying, "We have to take rape seriously. It’s not an issue that anyone should be making jokes or flippant comments about at all.” In an interview with Radio New Zealand, the New Zealand’s minister for sport also added, "I’m sure Israel understands that, I believe he has deleted the tweet [sic] in question. It will be up to the UFC as to what they do.” As for Adesanya, he is yet to respond to the fury but had recently posted a tweet that read, "Incoming clickbait NZ media in 3, 2, 1… This is what it’s all about…CLOUT!!”.
"Can we just end the UFC? It's seemingly just a gathering of cavemen who can't function in society." complained one. "OMG... A kiwi celebrutality.. What a shame?" tweeted another. "Shameful comment. Here is wishing you a string of losses in future fights," said an angry social media user. "This is normally the kind of talk that will get you punched. Luckily..." punned another social media user
Incoming clickbait NZ media in 3, 2, 1... pic.twitter.com/soMHjwkjhB
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) March 23, 2021
This is what it’s all about...CLOUT!! pic.twitter.com/GhWhPD6rPN
— Israel Adesanya (@stylebender) March 24, 2021
Can we just end the UFC? It's seemingly just a gathering of cavemen who can't function in society.
— Charlie (@charliebutalt) March 25, 2021
Shameful comment. Here is wishing you a string of losses in future fights.
— Moudgalya (@BMoudgalya) March 25, 2021
This is normally the kind of talk that will get you punched.
— Millard Duke BA (@DrunkenUncle_) March 25, 2021
Luckily...
NZ Herald reported that Debbi Tohill, the Rape Prevention Education executive director said the UFC star's comment could "normalize threats of sexual violence" - especially considering Adesanya's social media following which also includes 860,000 on Twitter. "People with a large social media following can play a significant role in reducing rates of sexual violence and creating healthy cultures of consent for any sexual activity," said Tohill.
She added, "Conversely, these kind of comments where rape is used as a threat create a culture where it is acceptable to make sexualized comments with the potential to cause further harm. Sportspeople and celebrities can really influence young people, we would like to see this happen in a positive way, not misused and normalizing threats of sexual violence."
Not Adesanya's first time...
It was also revealed that this is not the first instance in which the UFC striker has been in hot water for controversial remarks. Last year, Adesanya had apologized for "threatening" to "crumble" his opponent Yoel Romero "like the Twin Towers”. His exact comment was reported, "he's human-like anyone else … I'll touch him enough times. I'll touch him enough times, and eventually he'll crumble like the Twin Towers." He then added, "Too soon?" At the time he apologized saying, "You speak on the mic enough times and you’re bound to miss the mark with some bars… I did on this one and for that I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful in the future with my words."