UFC superstar Israel Adesanya challenges fans to decode his new tattoos – and they solve the puzzle

Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has flaunted his latest tattoos on social media and challenged fans to unravel their meaning.

Adesanya, 33, has been busy getting new ink since his dramatic loss to arch rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281 – revealing a new neck piece, a tattoo above his left eye, and one mysterious design below his right eye.

Adesanya, 33, has been busy getting new ink since his dramatic loss to arch rival Alex Pereira at UFC 281 – revealing a new neck piece, a tattoo above his left eye, and one mysterious design below his right eye

 ‘The Last Stylebender’, who regularly does Q&As with his fans on social media, quizzed followers about their meaning – and they were quick to get involved.

One fan sent a direct message response to the former middleweight king, identifying his neck piece: ‘It is ancient Egyptian deity Montu, a god of war.’ Adesanya responded: ‘Now I know that is what it means.’

One fan sent a direct message response to the former middleweight king, identifying his neck piece: ‘It is ancient Egyptian deity Montu, a god of war.’ Adesanya responded: ‘Now I know that is what it means’

While revealing the new lettering above his eye, Adesanya posted the inspirational quote, ‘The old version of you must die before you come alive!’ accompanied by a dragon emoji.

The lettering is Arabic and says ‘dragon’, and the inspiration for the placement of the tattoo seems to be revealed in the video, with a split-second image of anime character Gaara from the series ‘Naruto’, who has a tattoo above his own eyebrow.

The meaning of the small tattoo under his right eye is still a mystery, but as better photographs of it emerge eagle-eyed fans will surely try and identify it.

Adesanya (pictured fighting Jared Cannonier), who was 22 when he got his first tattoo, said he was worried how his Nigerian parents would react. Since then he has got numerous tattoos, with many inspired by his favourite anime characters

Adesanya, who was 22 when he got his first tattoo, said he was worried how his Nigerian parents would react. Since then he has got numerous tattoos, with many inspired by his favourite anime characters.

The former champion will be hoping to win his title back in 2023 after being brutally dethroned by rival Alex Pereira, via a fifth round TKO while ahead on all three judges’ scorecards.

The Kiwi star had five successful middleweight title defences during his reign at the top of the middleweight division.

The former champion will be hoping to win his title back in 2023 after being brutally dethroned by rival Alex Pereira (pictured), via a fifth round TKO while ahead on all three judges’ scorecards

Pereira commemorated his world title win over Adesanya with a tattoo days after the fight, posting a video of himself getting a UFC belt inked onto his right bicep.

Pereira and Adesanya are expected to fight again for the middleweight title in early to mid-2023.