UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was named Sportsman of the Year at the Halberg Awards last night – and immediately stole the show with a powerful acceptance speech.

The Nigerian-New Zealand MMA fighter was the first combat sport athlete to win the award since 1953 and delivered a fiery acceptance speech, calling for an end to the "tall poppy" culture in the country and motivating young athletes.

Co-host of Total Recall on Newstalk ZB Frank Ritchie joined The Panel on The Weekend Collective to discuss the speech, along with more stories making news this week.

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• Heather du Plessis-Allan: I'm tired of this 'tall poppy syndrome' nonsense