UFC star is SLAMMED for mocking boy, 18, who vanished when he jumped off Bahamas party boat

Israel Adesanya received backlash for a sweet he sent prior to knowledge of the US Coast Guard calling off a search for 18-year-old Cameron Robbins, who disappeared into shark infested waters after jumping off a party boat as part of a dare. 

The current UFC middleweight champion initially quote tweeted a report that Robbins had jumped into Bahamian waters due to the dare and hadn’t yet been found. 

‘“It’s a prank bro” era. #darwinism,’ Adesanya tweeted Wednesday evening. 

Adesanya had a more compassionate opinion when he became aware of a an updated report that Robbins had jumped into shark-infested waters and was suspected to have met his end resultantly.

‘Damn… I hope they find him. But still just sad shit really,’ he quote tweeted in the early hours of Thursday morning.

UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya

Cameron Robbins’ (L) disappearance  was mocked by UFC Champion Israel Adesanya (R) prior to knowledge that the 18-year-old had jumped into shark infested waters after a dare May 24

Adesanya initially suggested the disappearance was an example of Darwinism when quote tweeting a report of Robbins jumped off the boat due to a dare. Several hours later, after seeing an update, suspecting Robbins had been killed by a shark -- he showed compassion

Adesanya initially suggested the disappearance was an example of Darwinism when quote tweeting a report of Robbins jumped off the boat due to a dare. Several hours later, after seeing an update, suspecting Robbins had been killed by a shark — he showed compassion 

Some on Twitter took offense to Adesanya's tweet, though others did agree with his sentiment

Some on Twitter took offense to Adesanya’s tweet, though others did agree with his sentiment

Robbins, right, pictured with friends. He had graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge just days before he disappeared after leaping from a cruise ship in The Bahamas

Robbins, right, pictured with friends. He had graduated from University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge just days before he disappeared after leaping from a cruise ship in The Bahamas

Robbins, who had just graduated from University High in Baton Rouge, Louisiana launched himself from Blackbeard’s Revenge cruise ship on the night of May 24. 

Crew members, and the boat, attempted to find Robbins in the immediate aftermath alongside multiple agencies — including the US Coast Guard. The search for the missing teen was called off two days later.

Adesanya’s initial untimely, and arguably insensitive tweet, caused some furor on social media with a section of people upset at the New Zealand native’s remarks.

‘I love you Izzy but empathy is absolutely free,’ one user responded….’Yes what he did was dumb, but as young men, we do dumb s***.’

There were some who agreed with Adesanya’s sentiment and in fact, echoed them. However, others were less pleased. 

‘Awesome izzy dunking on a teenager who just died… super dope,’ one individual quote tweeted. 

The US Coast Guard District Seven deployed multiple search and rescue assets in response to obtaining assistance from their partners in the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. 

Witnesses claimed Robbins was acting on a dare when he jumped overboard at 11.30pm. Footage shows Robbins swimming in the water as a life preserver is thrown out to him and classmates tell him to grab on. But the teenager seems to be fixated on a shadowy shape which appears in the water and immediately begins swimming away.

The shadowy image, circled here, can be seen moving towards Robbins as he swims away from the boat

Despite a life preserver being thrown towards Robbins, he can be seen here swimming away from it

The shadowy image, circled, can be seen moving towards Robbins as he swims away from the boat. Despite a life preserver being thrown towards Robbins is seen swimming away from it 

Robbins was described as as a 'fierce competitor' by his high school baseball manager

Robbins was described as as a ‘fierce competitor’ by his high school baseball manager

Robbins had only arrived on the island hours prior to the tragic circumstances which occurred

Robbins had only arrived on the island hours prior to the tragic circumstances which occurred

Robbins was celebrating his recent graduation from high school with dozens of other seniors

Robbins was celebrating his recent graduation from high school with dozens of other seniors

The video has sparked speculation online that Robbins may have met his end after a shark went after him. Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) Commodore Raymond King confirmed that the area where Robbins went overboard is ‘really shark infested.’

 ‘The probability of survival decreases significantly particularly if a person did not have on a life vest and particularly if a person is perceived to be intoxicated,’ he said.

‘I can tell you that area where an individual reportedly jumped over, it’s an area that is really shark infested as well. It is so unfortunate but I don’t want the family to lose hope.’

Robbins was celebrating his recent graduation from high school with dozens of other seniors from other Baton Rogue High Schools. The cohort had only arrived on the island hours before the excursion and had been staying at the Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, according to multiple reports. 

The ship was near Athol Island, an uninhabited island located northeast of Nassau, when Robbins leaped into the sea. His parents, who had traveled to The Bahamas, have since returned home to Louisiana following the cessation of search and rescue attempts on May 26.

‘We want to thank the Bahamas government, the US Coast Guard, the United Cajun Navy, and Congressman Garrett Graves for everything they have done for us,’ the Robbins family said. ‘In this time of grief we thank our family, friends and well wishers for granting us the privacy we need to properly remember our son and mourn his loss.’

Robbins, pictured here on the left with his grandmother and brother, had only just graduated from high school days before his disappearance following the incident on the night of May 24

Robbins, pictured here on the left with his grandmother and brother, had only just graduated from high school days before his disappearance following the incident on the night of May 24

Dozens of students, pictured here, aboard the sunset cruise ship that Robbins was on before he jumped after acting on a dare that turned deadly

Dozens of students, pictured here, aboard the sunset cruise ship that Robbins was on before he jumped after acting on a dare that turned deadly

Robbins’ social media pages highlight his baseball talent, and his love for his friends, and family.

‘Cameron is a kid who is truly loved by his teammates, teachers, and fellow classmates,’ his devastated U-High baseball coach Justin Morgan said.

‘He is a fierce competitor on the baseball field. He is a hard worker both on and off of the playing field.

‘Our school community is struggling right now but hoping for the very best. Our thoughts and prayers have been and will remain with the Robbins family during this difficult time.’

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