When it comes to the UFC, the drama usually stays inside the Octagon. But for former middleweight champion Israel "The Last Stylebender" Adesanya, things got weirdly personal and remarkably digital. You’ve probably seen the mentions on Twitter or heard Sean Strickland barking at a press conference. If you’re looking for the israel adesanya dog video, you’re stepping into one of the most bizarre subplots in MMA history. It’s a mix of old social media posts, aggressive trash talk, and a heavy dose of internet "cancellation" culture that didn't quite stick, but definitely left a mark.
Let’s be real. The "video" isn't some new leak or a hidden crime. It’s actually a series of clips and photos that Adesanya himself posted years ago.
The Origins of the Israel Adesanya Dog Video
Most of this noise traces back to a video Adesanya shared on his own Instagram story involving his late dog, Million. In the clip, Adesanya is seen flicking the dog’s "lipstick" (an anatomical part of a male dog) while petting its belly.
He thought it was a joke. He was basically just being a "weird" pet owner in his own eyes, messing around with his dog while bored during a COVID-19 quarantine in 2020. At the time, it didn't cause a massive firestorm. But the internet never forgets. Fast forward to 2023, and his opponent Sean Strickland decided to weaponize it.
Strickland is known for having no filter. During the lead-up to UFC 293, he didn’t just talk about Izzy’s striking or his wrestling. He went for the jugular, calling Adesanya a "dog lover" in the most derogatory way possible. That’s when the israel adesanya dog video started trending again. People who hadn't seen it were suddenly searching for it, expecting something much more graphic than what actually existed.
Breaking Down the Viral "Evidence"
If you spend enough time on MMA Twitter (X), you'll see people claiming there's a mountain of evidence. Most of it is just repurposed content.
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- The "Flicking" Video: This is the primary one. It's Izzy on the floor with Million, laughing and making a quick, questionable gesture toward the dog's genitals.
- The "Mouth" Clip: There is a separate, very short clip where it appears Izzy is letting the dog lick his mouth or near it.
- The Twitter Likes: Internet sleuths—specifically a YouTuber known as MMA Guru—dug through Adesanya’s liked posts. They found that Izzy had liked some truly bizarre "pet play" and fetish-adjacent content.
Honestly, it’s a lot to process. When you combine a world-class fighter with an eccentric personality and a very public, sometimes cringey social media history, you get a PR nightmare. Adesanya has always been a "counter-culture" guy. He likes anime, he paints his nails, and he dances. But for a lot of the hardcore "machismo" fanbase in MMA, the dog stuff was the breaking point.
Why Does This Keep Coming Up?
It's about the psychological game.
Combat sports are 90% mental. If you can get under a guy's skin by bringing up his dead dog and making it weird, you've won half the battle. Strickland used it to perfection. He made the narrative about Izzy's character rather than his skills. It worked. At UFC 293, Adesanya looked "off." He lost his title in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.
Even after the fight, the jokes didn't stop. Dricus Du Plessis, the current middleweight champ, also made references to it. During their press conferences, the word "dog" became a coded insult.
But let's look at the facts. Has Israel Adesanya been charged with anything? No. Has there been any actual evidence of "animal abuse" in a legal sense? No. It’s mostly been a case of a high-profile athlete posting things that the general public finds "super weird" or "gross."
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The Impact on the Stylebender Brand
Adesanya is a massive star. He’s a Puma-sponsored athlete. He’s the face of fighting in Australasia. For a brand, the israel adesanya dog video is a headache. But in the world of the UFC, "bad" publicity often just means more eyes on the screen.
The interesting thing is how Izzy handled it. Initially, he ignored it. Then, he got defensive. At one point, he even posted a video of himself yelling at the media and opponents, saying, "I love my dog, I would never jerk him." It was a surreal moment in sports media. Watching a GOAT-tier fighter have to clarify that he doesn't have a sexual relationship with his pet is not something we usually see on ESPN.
The Nuance of the Controversy
There are two sides to this.
- The "It’s Just a Joke" Camp: These fans argue that Izzy is just an eccentric guy who made a "bro" joke with his pet that landed poorly. They think the "dog fetish" accusations are a massive reach by people who already hate him.
- The "This is Beyond Weird" Camp: These people feel that the collective "evidence" (the videos plus the Twitter likes) points to a disturbing pattern of behavior. They argue that if any other athlete did this, they’d be dropped by their sponsors immediately.
Where does the truth lie? Probably somewhere in the middle. It’s possible to be a great fighter and a weird guy. It’s also possible to make a series of really stupid social media decisions without being a criminal.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think this "video" is a recent leak. It’s not. It’s years old. The only reason it’s a "thing" now is because the MMA community is better at digging up dirt than it used to be.
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Also, the "licking" video is often taken out of context. Many dog owners have had their dogs try to lick their faces. Does it look bad on a 5-second loop on Twitter? Absolutely. Is it proof of a fetish? That’s a much higher bar to clear.
The real lesson here is about social media literacy for athletes. If you are the face of a multi-billion dollar organization, maybe don't post videos of yourself messing with your dog's "lipstick." It’s common sense, but common sense isn't always common in the heat of a 14-day quarantine boredom.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you’re following this story, here is how to navigate the noise:
- Verify the Source: Most of the "new" videos are just the same three clips from 2020 edited with scary music. Don't fall for clickbait.
- Check the Context: Understand that trash talk in the UFC is designed to be as offensive as possible. Opponents aren't trying to be "fair"; they're trying to win.
- Look at the Timeline: This controversy peaks every time Adesanya has a fight. It’s a tool for engagement.
- Separation of Art and Artist: Decide for yourself if a fighter's personal weirdness affects your ability to enjoy their technical skill. Many fans still consider him one of the greatest to ever do it, regardless of his Instagram history.
The israel adesanya dog video saga is a weird stain on an otherwise legendary career. It's a reminder that in 2026, your past posts are always just one angry opponent away from being front-page news again. Whether you think he’s a "creep" or just a guy with a bad sense of humor, the "Stylebender" has certainly given the world more to talk about than just his head kicks.
Stay skeptical of the "viral" headlines and look for the full clips before forming a hard opinion. The truth is usually less "explosive" and more "awkward" than the thumbnails suggest.