Rugby World Cup: Ardie Savea congratulates Israel Adesanya on ...
While he won’t be banking a fight cheque for some time, Israel Adesanya still enjoyed a nice pay day on Sunday (NZ time), courtesy of the All Blacks’ World Cup quarterfinal win over Ireland.
A day after the Kiwi UFC star revealed on The Rock podcast that he would be taking an extended break from the sport following last month’s upset loss to American Sean Strickland in Sydney, he then basked in the glory of his big bet on the men in black.
Posting to social media in the early hours of Sunday, Adesanya revealed a screenshot showing he had chucked a cool $20,000 on New Zealand to triumph against the world No 1-ranked Irish in their do-or-die showdown in Paris.
The All Blacks went into the game as underdogs at the New Zealand TAB for just the sixth time since sports betting was first offered in the country in 1996, hovering around the $2 mark throughout the week.
Adesanya found even better value at Stake.com, who he is a brand ambassador for, with his head-to-head wager on Ian Foster’s side paying $2.24.
That made for a payout of $44,800, and profit of $24,800. But only after one heck of a nervy finish, as the All Blacks held on in a cliffhanger, where they had to defend for a whopping 37 phases at the death before Sam Whitelock sealed the decisive ruck turnover penalty win.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Ardie Savea put in a massive display as the All Blacks edged Ireland in their World Cup quarterfinal in Paris.
In a win made extra-sweet for Adesanya, he then received a congratulatory message a couple of hours after fulltime from All Blacks star Ardie Savea.
Fresh off a heroic performance, the No 8 replied to Adesanya’s post on X (formerly Twitter), with, “Got you my uso”, accompanied by a saluting face emoji.
Adesanya, 34, has not indicated a timeframe for his return to the octagon.
The former two-time world champion last month appeared in court and pleaded guilty to drink driving. He will be sentenced on January 10 next year, facing a maximum of three months imprisonment, or a fine not exceeding $4500.
