Israel Adesanya Receives Heartwarming Welcome to Auckland With Haka Dance

• Israel Adesanya has finally returned home after reclaiming his UFC title
• The Nigerian-New Zealand MMA fighter was greeted with the Haka dance in Auckland
• Adesanya defeated Alex Pareira to win the UFC Middleweight belt

Nigerian-born New Zealand Mixed Martial Artist, Israel Adesanya, was met by an incredible display of the Haka dance following his return to Auckland.

The 33-year-old reclaimed his UFC Middleweight title after finally defeating his long-time nemesis Alex Pareira in UFC 281.

Adesanya returned home this week following his success in the octagon.

In a video shared on social media, Adesanya received a hero's welcome as a group of people performed the traditional Mori ceremony in the middle of the street.

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UFC

In the footage, a proud Adesanya was spotted coming out of an orange Ferrari to meet his people before a little street parade.

The Mori dance, also referred to the Haka, was made popular by the New Zealand rugby team and has since been a cultural symbol for the people of the Island nation.

Adesanya was born in Lagos, but his family relocated to New Zealand when he was very young, growing up in the streets of Auckland.

Adesanya reclaims UFC Middleweight title

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Israel Adesanya is the new Middleweight champion of the UFC.

The Nigerian-born fighter secured victory with a stunning knockout of Alex Pereira in the main event of UFC 287.

The first round was competitive but cagey, as both fighters tried to find their range but not burn up too much energy.

Adesanya ready for another fight

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Israel Adesanya isn't looking to waste any time before his next UFC fight.

The Middleweight Champion is still on a high after winning back his belt but is eager to enter the Octagon again.

As reported by MMA News, Dana White revealed that Adesanya has already been chomping at the bit to get back into the cage and has been in constant talks with the UFC's top brass to find him an opponent.