Imane Khelif and Israel Adesanya (Images Credit: Getty Images)
Recently, UFC superstar Israel Adesanya found himself in an unexpected bout – not in the octagon, but in the court of public opinion. The former middleweight champion, known for his lethal striking and quick wit, faced against the spread of misinformation. The target? Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif, a rising star caught in a whirlwind of controversy.

Israel Adesanya, who found himself in hot water, recently issued a heartfelt apology to Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif. Adesanya’s apology comes after he shared misleading information about Khelif on social media. The controversy stemmed from confusion surrounding Khelif’s eligibility to compete in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.

“I don’t like to get triggered and when something triggers me, I’m a fighter, I saw the news or articles and I was like, ‘Why they letting a trans person [fight women]’ and then I find out later she wasn’t actually a trans [person]. So to the lady, my bad. I got that wrong. To the lady, the boxer, I’m sorry. I didn’t understand what was going on,” said Adesanya via The Rock.

The saga began when reports surfaced about Khelif’s gender test results. These reports, later proven inaccurate, set off a firestorm of speculation. Adesanya, like many others, reacted to the unverified information circulating online. He shared a clip of Khelif’s previous fight, accompanied by a controversial comment.

Realizing his mistake, Adesanya didn’t dodge responsibility. Instead, he faced it head-on and admitted to being misled by the swirling misinformation. It’s refreshing to see a fighter show such humility outside the cage. Meanwhile, Khelif has been focused on her Olympic journey. She’s been battling in the ring, not on social media. The Algerian boxer has advanced to the gold medal match and is on the verge of making history for her country.

Algeria Olympic Commission Condemns Targeting Of Imane Khelif Over Gender Test

Controversy can sometimes overshadow athletic achievements, as recently seen around Algerian boxer Khelif. The 25-year-old fighter has found herself at the center of a heated debate. It’s not about her skills in the ring but her eligibility to compete.