Why Did Israel Adesanya Carry a Chinese Flag? Did He Represent China in Kickboxing?

Most UFC fans backed Israel Adesanya during the “real African” debate. However, at UFC 290, Adesanya’s words may have ruffled some feathers. His UFC 293 opponent, Sean Strickland, took issue with Adesanya’s claims, pointing out that ‘Izzy’ had spent a significant part of his life in China. The controversial part? He even carried the Chinese flag during his walkouts.

Adesanya himself has spoken openly about his time in China. In fact, his popularity there soared after dominating local fighters in Chinese promotions. His rise in China was so meteoric that many combat sports fans at the time might have mistaken him for a native. So, how did it all begin?

Why did Israel Adesanya have a Chinese flag?

Israel Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1989. However, his childhood in Nigeria was short-lived. At just 10 years old, his family moved to Rotorua, New Zealand. This move, however, became the canvas on which Adesanya would paint his future.

Adesanya found solace in martial arts. Kickboxing, in particular, became his obsession. He was so captivated that he dropped his degree in Computer Design to become a professional fighter. But how did his journey lead him to China?

His impressive performances in New Zealand promotions caught the attention of promoters in China. In 2011, they invited him to fight, viewing him as a “journeyman”—a fighter brought in to lose. What happened next surprised everyone.

Adesanya didn’t just win. He dominated. His flawless 5-0 record in ‘Wu Lin Feng,’ China’s premier kickboxing promotion, proved to be only the beginning. With every fight, Adesanya’s reputation grew. Chinese fans started calling him ‘The Black Dragon.’ His striking skills were innovative, his style mesmerizing. He was no longer the journeyman; he was the star.

Adesanya’s contract with Chinese promoters only grew from there. “They realized they couldn’t f*ck with this guy,” he once said. “So they signed me on the team, gave me think the biggest contract for any foreign fighter they’ve given and yeah it was a good time“. What was the result? A rise to prominence that made him a household name in Chinese kickboxing.

Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. In the same interview with Emilio Urrutia, Adesanya shared how the journey wasn’t always glamorous. He recalled a particularly foul experience when a Chinese promotion gave him a locker room with poor hygiene. But even these grim moments shaped him, pushing him to become the fighter we admire today.

So, what about the video of him carrying the Chinese flag? According to a previous interview, Adesanya revealed that he had worked for a few advertising campaigns that required him to carry the flag. He confessed, “I grabbed a random baby. and when they came off the hook, I grabbed it off from the dad. so I’m like the thing goes, My Family in China blah blah blah.. it looks like I’m like part of this Chinese man, and I’m grabbing the baby…I feel like it’s just kind of funny, I see some of it not too much of it but some of it, and I’m like.. ahh that’s right. but aye man, I made money.”

What country does Israel Adesanya represent?

Now, the question on everyone’s mind: What country does Israel Adesanya represent? This has been a topic of heated discussion among fans and fellow fighters. For some, Adesanya’s ties to multiple countries raise eyebrows. He’s proudly represented three nations—Nigeria, New Zealand, and even China—over the course of his combat sports career.

As mentioned previously, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and raised in New Zealand since he was 10 years old. As such, his heart remains tethered to both, but China also plays a part in his story. After all, it was in China where his kickboxing career truly blossomed. During his early days, Chinese fans knew him as ‘The Black Dragon.’ But how does this translate to his identity today?

Adesanya now lives in Auckland, New Zealand, training at the renowned City Kickboxing gym. While he’s embraced both his African and Kiwi heritage, his past connection to China still lingers. He has also openly celebrated his African roots, placing himself alongside other African UFC champions like Kamaru Usman and Francis Ngannou as a part of the ‘Three Kings’ era.

While some fans may continue to debate his status, one thing is certain— Israel Adesanya’s identity is as fluid as his striking style. He’s a fighter with many influences, shaped by different cultures and countries. Each step in his career—from Nigeria to China, to New Zealand—has brought something unique to his fight game.

Now, he’s gearing up to take on Nassourdine Imavov in his first non-title bout after a remarkable 5-year period at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Will his complex history continue to fuel rivalries? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!