UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has been named sportsman of the year at the Halberg Awards.

Adesanya was named the ISPS Handa Sportsman of the Year after becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion title in 2019.

He claimed the honours ahead of shot putter Tom Walsh, motor racing driver Scott McLaughlin and BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson.

The New Zealand MMA fighters took last night's awards as a moment to take a stand.

On stage at Spark Arena, Adesanya took a jab at New Zealand's tall poppy syndrome, reports Stuff.co.nz

In a stirring speech, the 30-year-old encouraged the public to embrace the country's success stories instead of knocking them down.

Watch Adesayna's speech below.