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Nigerian-born UFC champion Israel Adesanya has allegedly filed a $5 million lawsuit against Afrobeat singer, Superstar YB, over the unauthorised use of his voice in the track ‘Jealous (Faaji)’, which features fellow Nigerian artiste, Terry Apala.
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The controversy centres around the song’s introduction, which reportedly includes a clip of Adesanya celebrating a UFC title victory and declaring himself a “two-division UFC champion.”
According to reports, Superstar YB included this audio snippet in the track without seeking or obtaining Adesanya’s permission.
Adding to the matter, the song was later featured on Superstar YB’s critically acclaimed EP, Proudly Nigerian, which gained significant international traction.
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The EP peaked at number 4 on Apple Music’s Top 100 Worldwide Chart, amplifying the reach of the alleged unauthorised material.
The lawsuit highlights the intersection of sports and music, as Adesanya, a global UFC icon, and Abimbola Jeremiah Popoola, popularly known as Superstar YB, both share Yoruba heritage and a deep connection to Nigeria. However, this shared cultural bond has not deterred Adesanya from reportedly seeking legal redress over the use of his voice.
