Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya recently uncovered a blast from the past – a letter from his old job detailing a 2% raise to his annual salary. Rather than tossing it aside, Adesanya decided to embrace this small but meaningful milestone, going as far as to have the letter professionally framed.
The letter, dated August 14, 2012, revealed that Adesanya’s base salary had been increased from $37,500 to $38,242 per annum – a raise of a mere 2%. While some may have seen this as a meager adjustment, the fighter himself viewed it as a testament to his hard work and perseverance.
“Wow, I am pleased to advise that your base salary has been increased by 2% to thirty eight thousand two hundred and forty Two per annum,” the letter stated, a fact that Adesanya found both humorous and endearing.
“F*cking kidding, right?” Adesanya recalled thinking upon rediscovering the letter, a sentiment that many can likely relate to. The contrast between his current status as a dominant UFC champion and the modest raise he received nearly a decade ago is not lost on the fighter.
“I know some people [who] got a 30% [raise],” Adesanya told The Rock FM podcast, acknowledging that his own experience was not unique. However, for the 32-year-old, this letter represents a crucial stepping stone in his journey to the top of the MMA world.
Despite the small financial increase, the letter serves as a powerful symbol of Adesanya’s determination and resilience. It is a testament to the fact that even the most modest of achievements can be celebrated and appreciated, especially when they represent the hard-won progress of an individual’s career.
Israel Adesanya is quickly becoming one of New Zealand’s leading “mega landlords,” expanding his property portfolio across the country. His recent subdivision in Palmerston North, named Adesanya Close, saw immense interest, with three of the seven units rented immediately and the rest expected to follow suit.
Adesanya’s property investments, valued at over $20 million, include subdivisions and townhouses from Auckland to Dunedin. Known for his strategic foresight, Adesanya has been investing in real estate as a safety net for his post-fighting career, with his father Olufemi playing a key role in managing these ventures.
At 35, Adesanya is New Zealand’s second-highest paid athlete, with reported earnings of $8.4 million in 2023 and a lucrative UFC contract second only to Conor McGregor’s.
As the Octagon returns to Australia for UFC 305 in Perth, the main event features a compelling middleweight championship clash between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya, both rooted in Africa but with vastly different life experiences. The fight carries not just the championship on the line but also a battle of pride between two continents.
