Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has thrown his support behind a new national campaign in Christchurch aimed at combating street violence. The initiative features a raffle for a limited-edition BMW M4 CSL valued at $341,000, with proceeds going toward anti-violence programs and education.
The campaign, spearheaded by the Walk Without Fear Trust, officially kicks off with a community event at The Hub Hornby on Saturday. Adesanya and fellow UFC fighters will be in attendance to meet fans and raise awareness about the dangers of so-called “coward punches”—unprovoked and often fatal street attacks.
Raffle tickets for the high-performance BMW are priced at $50 and will be available until November 21, with the draw set for November 29. Funds raised will support national awareness efforts and initiatives focused on reducing violence.
Eugene Bareman, chair of Walk Without Fear and co-founder of City Kickboxing, emphasized the deeply personal nature of the cause.
“Every time someone is killed or seriously injured by a coward’s punch, families and entire communities suffer. These are real lives, real losses—not statistics,” he said. “It’s time we call these acts what they truly are: inexcusable and utterly unacceptable.”
As part of the campaign, Adesanya participated in a choreographed dance video, using humor and humility to help spread the message.
“If you’ve got a platform, you should use it to make a difference,” he said. “Every clumsy move in that video was worth it for the message we’re trying to send.”
The video also features Bareman, UFC light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg, and fighter Navajo Stirling—all stepping outside their comfort zones to engage audiences in a new way.
“Eugene had never danced in his life, but we encouraged him, and he stepped up. We’re all working together to bring these hidden tragedies into the light,” Adesanya added.
The campaign is a collaboration between Walk Without Fear and the Diamond Charitable Trust. Chair Alan Farragher expressed confidence that the involvement of high-profile figures would make a lasting impact.
“With such a powerful team backing the cause, we believe communities will be inspired to take a stand against street violence,” he said. “This is about showing that coward punches have no place in our society—and that change starts with awareness and action.”
Saturday’s launch event in Christchurch marks the first public engagement for the campaign, giving fans the chance to meet the ambassadors and join the movement against violence.
