4 Sep 2020

A good reason why Adesanya is bigger than the All Blacks

From Checkpoint, 6:20 pm on 4 September 2020

MMA world champ Israel Adesanya isn't afraid to pick a fight with the All Blacks.

The New Zealand sportsman of the year has suggested he's a bigger world phenomenon than the All Blacks - and if he successfully defends his UFC middleweight title against Brazilian star Paulo Costa, the Nigerian-born Kiwi's popularity will soar to new levels.

It might be easy to dismiss Adesanya's statement has mere bluster and PR - but what if he's right? Clay Wilson went to put his claims to the test.