Adesanya surprises and reveals 'mushroom trips' before knockout of Poatan at UFC 287

Alex Poatan unconscious after being knocked out by Israel Adesanya . Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

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Mental health is an increasingly discussed topic in the world of MMA. Former middleweight champion (up to 83,9 kg) and one of the biggest stars in the organization's history, Israel Adesanya has been talking about the subject for years and recently opened up about how the use of hallucinogens, alongside therapy, helped him throughout his career.

In a recent appearance on the 'Pound 4 Pound' podcast, the Nigerian opened up about an experience he had with hallucinogenic mushrooms before his rematch against Alex Poatan at UFC 287 in April 2023, when he knocked out the Brazilian and regained the middleweight title.

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“In the Alex Pereira fight in Miami, I had three giant mushroom trips in the shower where I could just focus. It’s different. I don’t go as deep, it’s more like I can feel myself. I can feel myself more deeply. I don’t know if it’s the ancestors or what, but I could feel myself on a level that I’ve never felt myself on before. I wrote something on the mirror, I can’t remember what it was now, but I have a video of it. I wrote on my mirror: ‘The greatest comeback in UFC history and it was done by me,’ some s**t like that,” he said.

Adesanya made it clear that his experience before the fight against Alex Poatan was not unique. The Nigerian stated that he enjoys using psychedelic substances to alter his senses and connect with his inner self.

“I dabble in psychedelics. I like to alter my state every now and then just because I feel like I learn from different perspectives and take the blinders off. Even with just edibles, you can sit down and go deep. You can go deep inside yourself, allow yourself to meditate and realize that all the shit you’ve been unloading is just sitting there building up,” he explained.

Hallucinogenic substances were not the only means used by Israel Adesanya for such inner connection. The former middleweight champion explained how therapy helped him deal with internal conflicts amplified after his UFC debut.

“I went home and, look, I didn’t debut in the UFC earning $10 for the fight and $10 for the win like everyone else. I made six figures and even won a $50 bonus, I stole the show from Yoel Romero and Luke Rockhold . Everyone was talking about me, I was on top of the world, but, damn, I got home and fell apart. I didn’t understand. That’s when I started therapy, because I was unwell. I felt like I shouldn’t be sad, I felt guilty for being sad. Why was I depressed? After a win in my UFC debut. I discovered it was because of the stimuli: You’re the guy, all that, lights, cameras, action, and suddenly you go home and you’re sitting alone in the dark of your room without any stimulation. It’s like coffee, it gets you pumped up, but when the effect wears off you fall apart,” he explained.

Psychological support has helped Israel Adesanya not only at the beginning of his MMA career, but also now, as he approaches the end of his fighting career.

“There is more to life than fighting and that is something that I have always had in my subconscious and always held on to, because I don’t want to be one of those guys who, when they are past their prime and should stop, want one more thing. Some people can’t leave the spotlight, they get addicted to the shine,” he concluded.

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