Israel Adesanya slams conspiracy theory about saggy pec
Israel Adesanya has hit back at ugly allegations regarding his appearance at UFC 253.
Adesanya dominated Paulo Costa on Saturday to retain his UFC middleweight belt.
However it was his body that garnered more attention than his performance.
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Scores of fans took to social media to comment on swelling in the Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter’s chest.
Adesanya’s right pec was drooping noticeably, with some speculating he had developed a gynecomastia - swelling of male breast tissue that can accompany steroid use.
“What’s up with Izzy right t**,” fellow fighter Jon Jones tweeted.
Middleweight star Chris Weidman said: “Nipweird?”
While Aljamain Sterling wrote: “What’s up with Izzy’s right pec?! Did anyone else notice this? My girl just pointed it out.”
What’s up with Izzys right Pec?! Did anyone else notice this? My girl just pointed it out. #UFC253
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 27, 2020
What’s up with Adesanya’s right pec?? Old injury?
— “Young Superstar” (@Benaskren) September 27, 2020
What's up with Adesanya's right pec? Torn or infection? pic.twitter.com/6kydev5fGH
— Luke ✌️ (@PluckyLuke) September 27, 2020
Looking back at the promotional pics for adesanya is interesting... covering his relaxed right side with the belt and stretching it when his potential gyno nip is exposed... hope it’s a torn pec but this is sus af #ufc #adesanyavscosta pic.twitter.com/13bJGCoZum
— (REFOLLOW)It’s all Irony (@ISwearItsIrony) September 27, 2020
Adesanya legit has a boob on only the right side lol. Gynooooooo #UFC253 #UFCFightIsland
— SaintsFan (@AlvinDaGoat) September 27, 2020
Absolutely wonderful from Adesanya. He just smashed Costa in a manner reserved for the challenger. The boob thing was weird, but the performance was faultless. Attack the front leg then put on a clinic! #ufc253 #ufcfightisland
— Nick Peet (@Peety_Editor) September 27, 2020
Adesanya hits back at steroid speculation
Adesanya has since hit back the the allegations in a conversation with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani published on Wednesday.
“I don’t know what this is, but you know what? With a performance like that, I would think I was on steroids, too,” Adesanya said.
The 31-year-old told Helwani that he had the swelling checked out with a doctor.
“I just got blood tests done, and I did like a scan - two MRI scans just now, 20 minutes ago for my pituitary gland,” Adesanya said.
“So we’ll get the tests back and see what it is.
“I’ve done my tests, and I’ll wait for the results. I might keep you posted.
“I might keep letting people speculate. It’s kind of fun to watch people just cry about it.”
Helwani addressed the steroid speculation directly, sparking an angry response.
“F--- no. Come on man. I know you believe me,” Adesanya responded.
“No I haven’t. I’m not one of those people who needs a crutch when that s*** is taken away, they feel weak, they feel inadequate.
“You saw that when USADA came through, a lot of bodies changed and a lot of people didn’t feel good enough without their little magic supplements.
“But that’s not me. Skills pay the bills.”
Adesanya, who improved to 20-0 with his second-round TKO of Costa at UFC 253, also told Helwani that he’d like to fight again in 2020.
However Adesanya declined to address speculation about who his opponent might be.
with Yahoo Sports US
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