Former two-time UFC Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya lost $20,000 betting on Devin Haney to beat Ryan Garcia via knockout.
The 34-year-old shared his betting slip to his social media, which would've doubled his money had Haney stopped his longtime rival Garcia. Instead, Garcia scored three knockdowns on Haney and won the fight after it went the distance and to the judges' scorecards.
However, Garcia wasn't able to take Haney's WBC Super Lightweight title after weighing in over 3lbs heavier than the agreed. Garcia also had to cough up a cool $1.5 million for being overweight - half a million dollars per pound.
Garcia's win over Haney, whom he faced six times as an amateur winning three and losing three, shocked the boxing world, with his pre-fight antics raising serious concerns over his mental and physical well-being. One of those duped by Garcia's antics appears to be former two-time UFC Middleweight champion Adesanya, who put $20,000 on the line, betting on Haney to defeat Garcia via KO.
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"Shoot the dice," Adesanya said on X, sharing a photo of him greeting Haney with the $20,000 betting slip photoshopped in. Garcia made sure to address his detractors on his victory lap. "You really thought I was crazy? You all lost your own minds," the 25-year-old proclaimed in the ring after his win.
Garcia boasts a professional record of 25-1 with his only defeat coming to Gervonta Davis. He has now set his sights on moving up in weight and taking on Sebastian Fundora. "I’m moving up to 154 to knock out [Sebastian] Fundora," he said.
Meanwhile, Haney expressed his disappointment at the defeat - but says he hopes he can face Garcia for an eighth time, with him now trailing 4-3 in the rivalry. "I'm disappointed about my performance," Haney said. "I [showed I] was a true champion and I could fight after being knocked down."
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The 25-year-old added: "I fell asleep on the left hook. We trained for it but I got in there and fell asleep. I gave him a shot, it's only right he gives me a shot back. He didn't make weight, so I'm still the champion. We can run it back."
Adesanya will be hoping that his fortunes change as he eyes up a return to the UFC octagon. His last fight came in September last year, a defeat to Sean Strickland. UFC 305 could be the card Adesanya returns on and he could face Dricus Du Plessis.
"Now the work has begun!" Adesanya said on Instagram in a hint that he's stepping up his efforts to return. Adesanya and Du Plessis could meet in Australia. "Looks like someone wants another beating in Australia, I’m in," Du Plessis said.
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