Israel Adesanya arrested at airport for carrying brass knuckles

NEW YORK: UFC star Israel Adesanya was arrested at the JF Kennedy Airport in New York for carrying brass knuckles.

The middleweight title of "The Last Stylebender" was brutally lost to longtime opponent Alex Pereira on Saturday. Adesanya entered the final round ahead on the scorecards, but Pereira landed a series of vicious punches on him, winning the fight via TKO.

After the loss, the fighter's experience in the USA got even worse as he was detained for unlawful possession of a weapon after allegedly being caught with brass knuckles while passing through security.

In New York, metal knuckles are illegal. Metal knuckles are permitted under TSA regulations as long as they are packed in checked baggage, but keeping them in carry-on bags is prohibited.

Adesanya could be sentenced to up to a year in jail and fines if found guilty of the charges.

According to Adesanya's manager Tim Simpson, the knuckles were a gift from a fan.

"Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage. When flagged at the airport, Israel quickly disposed of the item, and cooperated with authorities. He has complied accordingly, with that the matter was dismissed and he is on his way home," he said.

Adesanya, a striker who is renowned for being among the best in MMA both offensively and defensively, has now lost just twice in 25 bouts.

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