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Israel Adesanya Calls For New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern To Tighten 'Coward Punch' Laws

Israel Adesanya Calls For New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern To Tighten 'Coward Punch' Laws

Izzy's passionate pleas comes after the tragic death of his teammate last month in an unprovoked attack.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Israel Adesanya dedicated his UFC 263 victory to his City Kickboxing teammate Fau Vake, who was killed in an unprovoked attack back in May.

The UFC middleweight champion also urged New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to clamp down on 'coward punches' by handing down stricter punishments.

Israel Adesanya.
PA

'The Last Stylebender' produced another a flawless display inside the octagon to successfully defend his 185-pound title against trash-talking challenger Marvin Vettori.

But it was Adesanya's actions outside of the cage after the bout which grabbed everyone's attention even more.

Last month, Auckland-based gym City Kickboxing were in mourning following the tragic passing of one of their own.

Fau Vake, who had a promising mixed martial arts career ahead of him, had his life cut agonisingly short following an unprovoked attack on a night out.

Speaking after his unanimous decision victory over Vettori, middleweight king Adesanya paid tribute to his teammate in the best way possible.

"I just wanted to say, Fau Vake, Fau Vake, Fau Vake I love you man," Adesanya said during his post-fight press conference.

"Willie, John, James, all the Vake fam (sic), Isa banana, all love, you know what we do. This fight I dedicate to you Fau."

Adesanya also took the time to address New Zealand PM Jacinda Arderm, urging her to change the law and hand down firmer penalties for people who choose to coward punch another individual.

"Jacinda, I don't know who else is in your f**king cabinet, but you know it was wrong," Adesanya said.

Jacinda Ardern.
PA

"You know exactly what to do.

"I don't know what puppet master is pulling the strings, but you're the leader of the country. You handled the mosque shootings like a f**king champ, can you please do the same with this s**t too.

"Australia was ahead. They created this really harsh penalty for people who blind shot people.

"You'd expect New Zealand to do the same thing. For what reason would you want to pass up on a bill like that? Who does that?

"If someone walks up to someone who is doing nothing - be it an old man or an old lady or whatever - and blind shots them from the back, give them 20 years, standard. Because that's assault with a deadly weapon.

"I don't want to get angry, I don't want to get political but I expect better from the Government of New Zealand.

PA

"That was f**king wrong what they did to my boy. It was wrong and [the Government] know that too."

City Kickboxing, lead by head coach Eugene Bareman, have continued to be very vocal in pushing for new laws to be introduced.

And with the court case still ongoing, it's understood new charges are set to be laid with four men already arrested by Auckland police.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: New Zealand, UFC, Australia, MMA, Israel Adesanya