“But no matter what, even though they couldn’t see my vision, even though they couldn’t see what I was trying to do, my parents still supported me, they still made sure I was never left out in the cold… They were always there,” said Israel Adesanya when he was asked about his family. The former middleweight champ is arguably one of the best strikers to have ever stepped inside the Octagon and his family played a very important role in it.

Adesanya is the eldest of five siblings. The former champ has 2 brothers and 2 sisters. According to Adesanya, his siblings are his source of motivation to keep going and not look back. Among his siblings, the one who always stays beside Adesanya is his brother David Adesanya. Interestingly, David manages most of his brother’s business. Let us have a closer look at the personal life of Israel Adesanya’s sibling.

Meet David Adesanya, Israel Adesanya’s younger brother: What does he do?

Born to Taiwo Adesanya, a nurse, and Femi Adesanya, an accountant in Lagos Nigeria, Israel Adesanya is the eldest of 5 siblings. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is close to most of his siblings but David Adesanya, who is almost 4 years younger, stands out most for him due to his mutual interest and inclusive nature. David Adesanya helps his brother in his events and even manages Israel Adesanya’s YouTube handle which has more than a million followers.

Interestingly, David has his own YouTube channel known as Dave Blakamoto which has approximately 24ooo subscribers. David invites people, who have an interest in MMA to talk as well as break down the happening-non-happening of the combat sports world. David stays beside his brother in his fights as well, he is a part of the corner. Well, apart from this, not enough is known about David Adesanya, however, in one of his escapades, he explained his life after leaving Africa.

The UFC star’s brother explains his early life in Africa

Israel Adesanya’s family was based in Lagos, Nigeria before they decided to leave the nation for good. After moving from their home country, they arrived in Australia and then shifted to New Zealand. According to David Adesanya, the entire journey from being African to Australian was a magical experience for his family. While having a conversation with ‘Combat TV, David Adesanya shed light upon their wild experience. “For me, it was more exciting than anything. Leaving Africa after spending five years in Nigeria and about two and a half years in Ghana, and then going to South Africa, the Australian airport was like stepping into a different world,” said David Adesanya.

He further added, “Everything was stainless steel, and I was amazed by the escalators. It felt like one big spaceship or something. I was still a kid, so everything seemed shiny and new. When we arrived in New Zealand, I saw grass and good roads. It was like entering a whole different world—my eyes were wide open to everything. Everything was new and fascinating. I went to primary school and felt like the new toy; everyone was asking me questions, and I was the center of attention.” 

David Adesanya has many fond memories about his family but there was a time when he was deathly afraid for the fate of his brother when he faced Marvin Vettori for the second time.

What David Adesanya felt witnessing his brother almost get choked out

David Adesanya was very anxious when he witnessed Marvin Vettori choking Israel Adesanya when they fought each other at UFC 263. It was a rematch between the middleweight stars. At the end of the third round, Vettori caught the former middleweight champ in a lock. Adesanya struggled to get away from the submission but in the end, Adesanya got away from the chokehold. David Adesanya in his conversation with media emphasized that he was deathly afraid of the fate of his brother.

“Some scary moments when he (Marvin Vettori) had him (Israel Adesanya) in the rear naked (choke). I couldn’t even see. I think I even blacked out, I don’t even know. But he spun out of it and I came back to life. I didn’t even know what was happening there. His five-round fights are always off your seat. I’m still processing.” Luckily for him, ‘Izzy’ won the fight via unanimous decision.

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