UFC star Israel Adesanya has put the loss of his middleweight crown behind him, strutting his stuff onstage with legendary rapper Xzibit at JuicyFest last weekend.
Renowned for his choreographed entries to the Octogan, Adesanya, 33, unleashed some of those moves at Manukau's Vodafone Events Centre, alongside the American performer, probably best known as host of the reality television series Pimp My Ride.
"Crip walk with @xzibit," Adesanya tweeted. "Coolest thing I've done all year and it's only January."
Hopefully, the bucket-list appearance is an omen for better things in 2023, after his knockout defeat to Brazilian archrival Alex Periera and loss of his UFC belt in November.
His unbeaten run through the middleweight division was ended abruptly, after he led his opponent into the final round, but could not repulse his all-out attack.
Adesanya's next fight has not been finalised, after he hinted he would take some time away from the sport, but insisted he would be back to challenge for the crown again.
"I don't disclose everything," he revealed. "I've had some medical stuff that I've put on the backburner, stuff that people make fun of me for.
"I've got to look after myself, because my health comes first."
