Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of Labour Party have congratulated Israel Adesanya for reclaiming his UFC middleweight belt title in the Ultimate Fighting Championship 287.
On Sunday 9th of April, Adesanya reclaimed the UFC middleweight title from Brazilian Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287 at the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida.
Pereira unleashed body hooks and a knee to the ribs, with Adesanya threw a right hook that froze Pereira, with no buzzer to save Pereira reclaim the title he lost to the Brazilian last year.
In a post via Twitter, Tinubu applauded the fighter for not losing hope despite the loss from the earlier attempts to win the title.
“Congratulations to Israel Adesanya #stylebender on reclaiming the UFC Middleweight Title. He never stopped believing in himself and we did not stop believing in him. #NaijaProud,” he wrote.
The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi also took to the micro-blogging platform to send his wishes to Adesanya.
“By decisively knocking out his opponent and regaining his UFC Middleweight Title last night, Israel Adesanya @stylebender proved that persistence is the path to reclamation. Congratulations valiant Champion!… – PO,” he noted.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, congratulated the Nigerian born Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) champion Adesanya for reclaiming his Middleweight title in spectacular fashion.
The Sports Minister said Adesanya has demonstrated the “never say die” attitude of the average Nigerian to get back what belongs to him.
“Congratulations Israel, you are truly the last stylebender. You have shown that you are a real champion. This never-say-die attitude has got you back your belt. Nigeria is proud of you,” Sports Minister Dare said.
The Minister urged the new UFC Champion to continue to be a role model for the youth and an ambassador for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in Nigeria, which was recently recognised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development as a sports federation in the country.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission have joined the fanfare in pouring congratulatory messages on Adesanya.
