Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, risks facing up to three months in jail after he pleaded guilty to drunk-driving charges in New Zealand.
This incident took place just a few weeks prior to Sean Strickland’s surprise victory in their title match at UFC 293 on September 10.
It was reported that Adesanya encountered a Random Breath Testing unit in Auckland after dinner with friends.
He was found with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood in his system, which was above the legal limit of 50 milligrams.
After pleading guilty at the Auckland District Court, Adesanya released a statement to The New Zealand Herald, saying:
“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 a dinner.
“I was pulled over and gave an evidentiary blood test, the reading was 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
“I am disappointed with my decision to drive, it was wrong. I know that people might follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behavior is acceptable.”
According to ESPN, he could face up to a $2,680 fine and/or three months in jail and will be back in court on January 10 for sentencing.
Adesanya’s lawyer is requesting that the accusations against her client be withdrawn without a finding of guilt as the sentence is set for January 10.
