“This Is Disrespectful” – Fans in Wheelchair Pull Up at Israel Adesanya’s Meet as UFC Champ’s Remarks Leaves MMA World in Splits

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya enjoys a huge fan following and is easily one of the top fighters on the UFC roster. Presently, ‘Stylebender’ is all set to fight UFC middleweight star Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in the Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on September 9. The Nigerian fighter attracts plenty of fans when he is fighting inside the Octagon. However, fans know him better through his Instagram posts and YouTube channel where he shares personal moments from his life. Recently, ‘Stylebender’ posted a video where he interacted with wheelchair-ridden fans.

In the video, the UFC middleweight kingpin motivated his physically challenged fans enthusiastically. However, when fight fans came across the post, they had mixed reactions to the video. Some were not okay with how Adesanya called them “Hot wheelz.” Let’s dive deeper to find out the reactions of the fans after coming across Adesanya’s video.

Adesanya took to his Instagram handle to post the video of him having a good time with his wheelchair-ridden fans. Along with the video, he wrote, “Hot Wheelz I keep the same energy. Shoutout to the real ones, waiting in line and displaying good manners and respect. Thank you all for showing up and showing love!!” The video was from his appearance at UFC 290 international fight week, where Adesanya met a lot of his fans.

READ MORE: Before His Explosive Rise, UFC Champ Israel Adesanya Reveals the Real Reason Chinese Promotion Signed Him: “I Wasn’t Brought There to Be Long”

The entire video was uploaded on his YouTube channel, where he interacted with fans who waited to meet him and get clicked with him. When the MMA community came across the video of Adesanya meeting his physically challenged fans, some of the fans were highly impressed with his heartwarming gesture. While a few found it “disrespectful.”

Fans react to Israel Adesanya having a good time with differentially-abled fans

When a fan came across the post, he was highly encouraged by the kind gesture of ‘Stylebender’. While another fan ended up laughing at the video.

• “Keep the wheels up n hot. Whooooooof “
• “Ik I’m going to hell for laughing”

One of the fans felt that Adesanya is doing all the right things that make people love him more. While another fan claimed that a fighter’s real confidence comes from lifting his fellow humans.

• “that’s how you get the people’s love”
• “Real confidence is lifting other people”

One of the Instagram users noticed the UFC middleweight champion’s humility while interacting with his physically challenged fans.

• “Humble as they come!!!!!”

Some of the fans had problems with how Adesanya mentioned them as “Hot wheelz.” They felt that it was disrespectful to call them that.

• “Somehow, this is disrespectful.”
• “Should’ve just called ’em Crazy Legs wtf bro”
• “No way bro called him hot wheelz.”

From the reactions of the fans, it is clear that they were divided after coming across the video of the UFC middleweight champion. The fans had different opinions on how Adesanya dealt with his wheelchair-ridden fans.

What are your thoughts on his comments? Should he have been more respectful? Let us know in the comments.