In combat sports, superstar athletes often embrace a lavish and flamboyant lifestyle. Yet, beneath the glitz and glamor lies a common thread – many of them have grappled with legal troubles. The latest addition to this list is UFC sensation Israel Adesanya, currently grappling with a drink driving case. Joining him on this roster of legal challenges are prominent figures such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. Here’s a closer look at these superstars and the legal hurdles they’ve faced.
Israel Adesanya, Conor McGregor, and more UFC stars who faced legal troubles
In recent updates, Israel Adesanya,the former middleweight champion, was seen at the Auckland District Court this Monday. In this appearance, he admitted guilt to a charge related to driving under the influence of alcohol. The official records stated that on August 19, Izzy was behind the wheel with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Representing him, Karl Trotter, outlined their plan to pursue a discharge without a conviction during the upcoming sentencing scheduled for January. Meanwhile, as per NZ Herald Izzy stated, “I want to apologise to the community, my family and my team for the decision I made to get behind the wheel after drinking at dinner.” Despite the legal issue, as mentioned by his lawyer, it appears the Kiwi fighter’ career will not have a major impact on his career.
And Adesanya is not the only fighter who got into legal troubles. Talking about the issues, even though Conor Mcgregor achieved immense success in the ring, he faltered in upholding the law outside of it. His heated rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov played a significant role in his encounters with legal troubles.
The animosity escalated when McGregor and his associates attacked a bus carrying seven fighters, including Khabib. Initially, McGregor hastily fled the scene, prompting the NYPD to issue an arrest warrant. However, he later surrendered himself that night. And there were numerous instances from his legal fight with Artem Lobov to recent NBA drama he has been under the light of legal issues.
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Jon Jones and others
Jon Jones’ encounters with law enforcement have been troubling, numbering a total of five since 2012. The first incident involved a DUI in 2012, where he was speeding and collided with a lamppost. Subsequently, he was arrested, fined $1000, and had his license suspended for six months.
The second incident was far more severe, involving a hit-and-run case. Jones allegedly ran a red light, lost control of his rental car, and collided with another vehicle, with the passenger being pregnant. This led to an extended period of probation, marking one of several instances where legal issues entangled Jones.