Israel Adesanya: Nigerian-born New Zealand UFC middleweight champion, known for his theatrical entrances, marketing brand Engage, and outspoken views on fame and mental health.
What this episode covers
Israel Adesanya joins Steven Bartlett to trace his path from being bullied as the only Black kid in New Zealand to becoming UFC middleweight champion. He opens up about people-pleasing, childhood trauma, imposter syndrome, and a 2013 depression triggered by a broken jaw, breakup, and failing work. Much of the conversation explores the dark side of fame: the post-fight crashes, entitled fans, protecting his private life, and his refusal to perform moral perfection for media. He also shares his philosophy on manifestation, legacy, masculinity, and raising future kids outside the school system.
Recommended on this episode
Shook One: Anxiety Playing Tricks on Me
Charlamagne tha God
“one of the ones that helped was charlamagne's book at the time shook once anxiety playing tricks on me I read that... I got a lot of gems from that book”— Israel Adesanya
Also referenced (named, not recommended)
McLaren 720S
McLaren
“I bought myself a McLaren 720s nice and I um the first day I got it I remember I drove to the gym”— Israel Adesanya
Framing Britney Spears
The New York Times
“have you seen free Britney yeah yeah yeah yeah brother there was a bit in that that was one of my like I was getting anxiety watching the first half”— Steven Bartlett
Victory Lap
Nipsey Hussle
“oh Victory oh no that was a nipy yeah... yeah um which one was it was from Victory lap though yeah yeah yeah double up double up”— Israel Adesanya
Big reveals from this episode
- After beating Whittaker he bought a McLaren 720S, then didn't drive it for a week after a close friend's jealous remark made imposter syndrome creep in.
- His UFC debut afterparty triggered a deep emotional crash, like a coffee high wearing off, which pushed him to take therapy seriously.
- Calls 2013 his 'Great Depression' after his girlfriend left, his business was failing, and a broken jaw kept him from fighting.
- Admits he once had a fleeting thought about robbing a corner store when he was broke, which made him empathize with people who do.
- Says he is hard to cancel because he never claimed to be a saint and openly admits to being 'a demon sometimes.'
- Is contemplating not giving his future kids his last name to spare them the pressure of the Adesanya name.
- States his core driver is legacy and a desire to be 'immortal,' making the name Adesanya synonymous with greatness forever.
Worth remembering
- When Kelvin Gastelum fell out, Adesanya insisted on doing his iconic entrance against Whittaker despite Dana White saying no.
- He repeated 'form one' across Nigeria, Ghana and New Zealand because each country said he was too young for his grade.
- Credits Charlamagne tha God's book 'Shook One' for helping him through a fight week.
- Names Tyson Fury as the figure he respects most for openly battling mental health.
- Tells a story about a 'fake famous' YouTube prank in Times Square where strangers pretended to recognize a nobody.
- His cat died the morning a fan demanded he talk to a cousin while he was filling up gas.
- Recalls Mos Def politely declining a photo at Auckland Airport, which taught him fan etiquette.
- His mother wants him to settle down with a Nigerian woman, but he refuses to settle.
- Plans to homeschool future kids with a tutor plus compulsory gymnastics and Jiu-Jitsu instead of traditional school.
- Quotes Mo Gawdat (former Google exec) that unhappiness is the gap between expectations and reality.