Israel Adesanya. Champion, UFC Welterweight Fight Photo credit: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport

Isreal Adesanya, Nigerian-born New Zealand mixed martial artist who won his Championship on Saturday, is currently trending on Twitter for his hilarious speech in Yoruba.

Adesanya defeated American Brad Tavares by unanimous decision to win their Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight fight in Las Vegas.

The fight, which was his first headline fight in the UFC, saw the 28-year-old declared winner by the three judges after the fifth round.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a trending video shows the martial artist dedicating his victory to Nigerians in fluent Yoruba.

The excitedly delivered banter translates from Yoruba to English as, “I have been lashing them forever. I am not wicked at all; just know that I am here.

“I am representing you all,” he said before going on to use a popular social media slang ‘Sho mo age mi ni?” which means “Do you know my age?”

Adesanya stated further: “Do you know my name? My name is Isreal Mobolaji Temitayo Odunayo Oluwafemi Owolabi Adesanya. I am here. You all should recognise.”

He went on to enact the popular ‘Wakanda’ greeting made popular from the ‘Black Panther’ film and said, “I have the chest of a tiger.”

Nigerians have gone on to praise Adesanya for promoting his culture on an international platform and congratulated him for winning the fight.

@Bankeelo tweeted, “I love this guy so much. I have watched his after match rants and they are very hilarious, always representing Naija.”

@KayteeBartowski wrote, “Best thing I have seen all day!!! IsraelAdesanya Sho mo age mi ni”

@Ayoadehassan said. “Second Yoruba man in recent times dominating the world of combat sport. Anthony Joshua, now Israel Adesanya.

@SharpenKyoto tweeted. “Lmao, When he said his full name though (slow clap). Wa Gbayi!”
Adesanya was born in Lagos, Nigeria.

He moved to Wanganui, New Zealand and started training kickboxing.

Adesanya amassed a professional record of 32-0 prior moved and fought in China.

He made his debut against Rob Wilkinson on February 11, 2018 at UFC 221.

He won the fight via TKO in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus.

Adesanya won his next fight by split decision on April 14, 2018 against Marvin Vettori at UFC on Fox 29.