The Black Joke and the ‘Kirk Shot’
The world of professional mixed martial arts and political commentary collided in a spectacularly controversial manner this week, as former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya sparked outrage and fascination with a bizarre social media post. A
desanya, a fighter known globally for his dynamic style and outspoken personality, managed to shift the conversation entirely away from the Octagon and onto a far more sensitive topic: the widely discussed and speculated-upon passing of conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
While briefly engaging with his millions of followers on Instagram, Adesanya—who seemed to be taking a break from an intensive training camp ahead of his next anticipated UFC bout—presented what he dramatically introduced as a “Black joke.” What followed was a performance art piece, as some critics dubbed it, that was both cryptic and chillingly explicit in its dark humor.
Holding up a shot glass, Adesanya immediately drew attention to a macabre detail: a small object, appearing to be a projectile, embedded into the side of the glassware itself. He then declared, with a distinct, unsettling grin, “I call this the Kirk shot. You know why?”
Before offering the punchline, the former champion proceeded to drink from the peculiar glass, letting the suspense build before offering a deliberately vague explanation. “Cause it’s black. There’s something in there. Just figure it out. Flavored to Chappelle, Oprah. Figure it out.”
The reference to prominent Black cultural figures Chappelle and Oprah only added layers of confounding complexity to a joke that was already perceived by many as being in profoundly bad taste, intertwining racial identity, political commentary, and the grim circumstances surrounding Kirk’s departure.
This incident, which occurred with no clear preamble or explicit justification, immediately raised questions about Adesanya’s motivation.
Why, during a break in a high-stakes training cycle, did he choose to randomly involve himself in the ongoing public dialogue—often fueled by conspiracy and skepticism—surrounding Charlie Kirk’s de@th?
The lack of context amplified the sensation, turning the brief clip into instant viral fodder and subjecting Adesanya to a relentless barrage of criticism and support from opposing corners of the internet. The phrase “Kirk Shot” immediately began trending, symbolizing the abrupt, shocking nature of the commentary itself.
Adesanya: A History of Provocation
Israel Adesanya is undeniably one of the most charismatic and gifted fighters in the history of the middleweight division, yet his career outside the cage has been equally, if not more, characterized by turbulence and controversy.
He is no stranger to the relentless spotlight of social media, and he frequently uses his platform to engage in provocative behavior that ensures he remains a central figure in public discourse, regardless of his current win-loss record.
This latest incident is merely the newest entry in a long catalog of instances where Adesanya’s actions have veered dramatically from the professional to the personal and the political.
His willingness to court controversy appears to be a consistent feature of his public persona, often overshadowing his impressive athletic achievements.
For example, last year, following a painful loss to rival Dricus du Plessis—a defeat that was deeply frustrating for the former champion and his legions of fans—Adesanya’s frustrations spilled over from the controlled environment of the Octagon into the public streets of New Zealand.
He was captured on video engaging in a heated, highly visible argument with an unidentified driver. The footage, which quickly circulated online, captured Adesanya issuing a challenging, almost confrontational threat: “I dare you to try me.”
While the context of the road rage incident was never fully established, the image of a world-renowned athlete engaging in such a public, aggressive dispute only cemented his reputation as a volatile, unpredictable figure both inside and outside his professional sphere.
Furthermore, Adesanya has been remarkably candid about the emotional and financial pressures that come with a career at the absolute pinnacle of a brutal sport. Just the month after his street confrontation, he opened up on The JRE Podcast about the financial struggles he faced earlier in his career, particularly after an important loss to Alex Pereira.
“When I was fighting in China and I lost to Alex, they stopped giving me fights,” Adesanya explained. “I think, at the time, I was the highest-paid foreign fighter in China, but then they stopped giving me fights.
I was like, ‘Look, I have seven more fights on my contract. Can I at least just get three? I just need three,’ because money was running out.”
This vulnerability offered a rare glimpse into the intense financial precarity that can affect even top-tier athletes, highlighting the stress and instability that can fuel their actions both publicly and privately.
The Career Trajectory and Future Battles
Adesanya’s recent controversy is set against a backdrop of professional challenges. While he is widely and rightly considered one of the greatest middleweights of all time, his recent performance has seen a noticeable dip.
He last fought in February 2025, where he suffered a major upset loss, a TKO defeat at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov. This loss marked the third-straight defeat for Adesanya, a significant and painful streak for a fighter who was, not long ago, virtually untouchable at the top of his division.
The stunning reversal of fortune—from being at the zenith of his fight game to experiencing a sustained period of losses—has naturally created immense pressure and intense scrutiny on his next move.
In a move that further complicates his narrative, Adesanya recently clarified that he has “moved on” from the prospect of a rematch with Sean Strickland, the man who delivered one of his most shocking defeats.
This decision suggests a deliberate effort to pivot his career focus, yet his decision to engage in this kind of provocative, off-topic political commentary raises serious questions about where his true focus lies.
Is this latest stunt a calculated move to distract from his recent athletic shortcomings? Is it an attempt to utilize shock value to keep his name in the headlines and his brand relevant amidst a downturn in his professional performance?
The controversy surrounding the “Kirk shot” joke is not simply a matter of a celebrity making a bad jest; it speaks to the blurring lines between sports, media, and political dialogue in the 21st century.
It underscores the power and the potential pitfalls of social media for high-profile figures, where a moment of impulsive, dark humor can instantly metastasize into a global conversation about ethics, respect, and the boundaries of free speech.
For Adesanya, the aftermath will undoubtedly be severe, forcing him and his team to manage a public relations nightmare far more challenging than any opponent he faces in the Octagon.
The public now awaits his next move—both in the cage and on the controversial stage of the internet. The silence from him now is heavy, but the questions about the true meaning of the “Kirk shot” continue to echo.
Leave a Reply