Israel Adesanya arrested at airport for possession of metal knuckles; issued citation by police

(Editor’s note: Story updated Thursday at 11:05 a.m. ET to reflect info about Adesanya being issued a desk appearance ticket.)

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was arrested Wednesday at JFK Airport days after his UFC 281 loss to Alex Pereira.

Adesanya was arrested for possession of metal knuckles, New York’s Port Authority Police Department (PAPD) spokesperson Lenis Valens told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. TMZ Sports was first to report the news.

The arrest came at approximately 1:57 p.m. local time. No details were initially made available, however PAPD informed MMA Junkie on Thursday that Adesanya was given a desk appearance ticket, or a written notice from a police officer, to appear in court at a future date.

Adesanya’s manager Tim Simpson, of Paradigm Sports, previously indicated in a statement to MMA Junkie that his client was gifted the knuckles by a fan. He added that Adesanya cooperated with authorities and was eventually allowed to continue travel.

“Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage,” Simpson said. “When flagged at the airport, Israel quickly disposed of the item and cooperated with authorities. He has complied accordingly. With that, the matter was dismissed and he’s on his way home.”

Metal knuckles are illegal in New York. Possession is a Class A misdemeanor. TSA rules allow metal knuckles to be stored in checked luggage, but bans passengers from possessing them in carry-on bags.

Adesanya, 33, was defeated for the first time as a middleweight Saturday when he lost a fifth-round TKO to longtime rival Pereira. The bout took place at Madison Square Garden in New York.