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Adesanya briefly detained after brass knuckles found during airport screening

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Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was arrested Wednesday afternoon for possession of a weapon at New York's JFK Airport, according to Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.

The 33-year-old was briefly detained after brass knuckles were found during a security check. The Port Authority Police Department took Adesanya into custody near the TSA screening area. The Nigerian-born fighter, who is a resident of Auckland, New Zealand, headlined UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York last weekend.

"Israel was handed a gift by a fan, which he put in his luggage," Adesanya's manager, Tim Simpson of Paradigm Sports Management, said in a statement.

"When flagged at the airport, Israel quickly disposed of the item and cooperated with the authorities. He has complied accordingly, with that the matter was dismissed, and he is on his way home."

Brass or plastic knuckles are illegal to carry in the state of New York. The offense is considered a misdemeanor in the state, punishable by up to one year in prison along with fines.

"The Last Stylebender" dropped his middleweight title to challenger Alex Pereira at UFC 281 by TKO in the main event's fifth round. The defeat marked just the second loss of Adesanya's career and his first at 185 pounds.

Pereira secured his third combat-sport win over Adesanya after beating him twice in kickboxing. UFC president Dana White wouldn't rule out an immediate rematch between the two rivals.

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