Israel Adesanya loves to be entertained. A massive fan of anime and game shows, the UFC fighter does not shy away from showing his interests. This time, he did it through a special shoutout to a creator who has been on the top of the entertainment sphere for a while, MrBeast. After taking over the internet, MrBeast is ruling the realm of reality shows through ‘Beast Games.’ The Prime Video show is inspired by the South Korean hit Squid Games and makes participants go through challenges to compete for five million dollars.

This is an interesting setup, and they spent over $14 million to create the entire show. However, it seems like it was worth it since many fans are all praise for the show. One such fan is Israel Adesanya, who took to his Instagram to sing praise for the YouTube sensation. Uploading a clip of the show on his Instagram story, he wrote, “The human animal is a fascinating creature. @MrBreast has the greatest show out rn!!!”

In the show, the contestants are dressed in numbered blue suits, a clear reference to the outfits of the contestants of the Squid Games. In addition, there are fearsome guards to watch every move of the competitors. However, the scale of Beast Games surpasses that of the South Korean series, with a much larger number of contestants and a series of extreme physical challenges, including monster trucks, jumping from helicopters, and other tests of great visual impact. So, it is no surprise that Adesanya and other casual viewers soon became fans of the show.

The $500 million worth YouTuber has stated that he had invested more than a year in the creation of this show, breaking 40 world records and building the most ambitious stages in the history of entertainment. What’s more, the millions of dollars in prize money are only part of the show’s appeal: participants face physical and psychological tests designed to get the audience’s attention. As a result, the show has been topping the charts on Prime Video since its very first episode was launched. However, the show has also been quite controversial.

Israel Adesanya’s favorite show finds itself embroiled in controversies

Unlike the anime watched by Israel Adesanya, the problem with reality shows is that they have real-life consequences. So, despite the magnitude of the event and earning shoutouts through Instagram stories, not everything is positive around Beast Games. In September 2024, five contestants filed a lawsuit against Mr. Beast, his production company, and Amazon, alleging that the filming conditions were dangerous and degrading. The plaintiffs claimed that they were not provided with medical care, adequate food, sufficient rest, or minimum hygienic conditions.

In addition, they pointed out that during the recordings they did not receive the corresponding payment, not even the minimum wage or overtime. These allegations were filed after filming for the first round, which took place between July 18 and 22, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The second part of filming took place in Toronto in August. According to the participants who filed the lawsuit, the conditions were so extreme that they affected not only their physical well-being but also their emotional integrity.

Mr. Beast, known for his generous and often extravagant projects, was quick to respond to the allegations. In several social media posts, the YouTuber defended his production, claiming that the allegations had been exaggerated and distorted. Through his account on X (formerly Twitter), he stated that those involved in the lawsuit were taking the situation “beyond what really happened.” Mr. Beast promised to reveal exclusive behind-the-scenes content that would show that the filming conditions were much more suitable than what was presented in the complaints but clarified that he could not do so until the show premiered to avoid spoilers. But what’s your take on the show? Did you find it degrading or entertaining? Let us know in the comments.