Why Does Israel Adesanya Have Gyno?

Ever since making his UFC debut in 2018, Israel Adesanya has only raised his stock in the promotion. Not only is he a bona fide star in the promotion but also the only fighter to ever capture the middleweight title on two separate occasions. Besides that, Adesanya also sports good looks and an impressive physique, which has also garnered him a pretty healthy online following.

But the thing that was most talked about from that fight was the champion’s swollen right pectoral muscle. He had gynecomastia, which is a medical term for swelling in male breast tissue. He later in an interview, revealed the reason for the swelling.

The real reason behind Israel Adesanya’s gynecomastia

Several factors can cause gynecomastia. Drugs and alcohol, various medications, and even herbal products are just some of them. One of the causes of the swollen pecs is the use of PEDs, and unsurprisingly, Israel Adesanya’s naysayers were quick to accuse the fighter of the use of it. However, in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Izzy clarified the cause of it, and it was pretty intriguing, to say the least. 

“My pituitary gland was checked, hormone levels are fine, estrogen and testosterone. Yesterday we had an ultrasound and a mammogram. I had one for the first time,” Israel Adesanya stated. “To be honest it might have just been unhealthy living a little bit. Like smoking w–d, that’s what the doctor from the UFC said. He said I need to stop but I’m not stopping, I’m just going to slow down on the smoking w–d.”

‘The Last Stylebender’s gyno issues surfaced again when he was preparing for his UFC 281 bout against Alex Pereira.

Israel Adesanya’s gyno ailment returns

The first time fans got to witness Izzy’s enlarged breast tissue was back in 2020 when he fought Paulo Costa. But it got people talking again in late 2022. Just like we mentioned above, speculations ran wild about Adesanya potentially making use of steroids or substances of that nature. Renowned MMA coach Firas Zahabi had his theory about Adesanya’s situation. However, he didn’t point it out directly, which only means that hinted at potential PED usage.

“Guys get punched in the chest all the time. I’ve never seen a guy walk in the ring, walk out with an inflamed breast,” Firas Zahabi stated in a YouTube video. “In my mind, there’s only one reason for this. There’s only one group that has this problem, there’s only one group. What other possibility could there be? People are putting pictures of him in the earlier years, he doesn’t have it, doesn’t have it, then all of a sudden, boom, he’s got it.” But what is the state of Israel Adesanya’s condition now? Well, let’s take a look at that front.

Does Adesanya still have gynecomastia?

Since the last case, the former UFC middleweight champion hasn’t talked about the issue. However, one of his latest photos compelled people to raise the issue again, which was posted by his teammate Dan Hooker but was later taken down. Once the picture was posted, the fans took notice of the pectoral and speculated he still had gynecomastia. 

The former 2-time champion has not made a statement on it, so it is still not clear whether that is the case. But when we take a look at his current physique, it’s not as prominent as it used to be. Moreover, UFC fans seem to have stopped talking about it on social media altogether. 

While Israel Adesanya’s seemingly suspicious condition has taken a backseat, his return at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia has now taken center stage. Taking on #5 ranked 185fer Nassourdine Imavov, it will be interesting to see how ‘Izzy’ fares in his first non-title fight in almost six years.