BREAKING: UFC fighter Israel Adesanya, Nigeria-born, was detained at a US airport for brass knuckles in his possession.

 Israel Adesanya was detained on Wednesday at JFK Airport in New York while passing through security

screenings, only four days after losing the

UFC middleweight championship to Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and former kickboxer Alex Pereira.

It was discovered that Adesanya was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, just before 2:00 p.m. local time, close to the American Airlines terminal at JFK, according to TMZ.

Brass knuckles constitute a minor offense in New York state and are purportedly in his possession.

He faces up to a year in jail and possible fines if found guilty.

He is being held in police custody and might not be allowed to leave New York until the inquiry is over.

Brass knuckles belonging to Adesanya are not known to have been in his carry-on luggage, on him, or in a checked suitcase. Currently unknown is the possession's intended use.