Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has announced he has split with his longtime head coach Eugene Bareman. This major development also means he will no longer be training out of the City Kickboxing (CKB) gym, based in New Zealand. The revelation, made by Adesanya himself on Thursday, signifies that he will have a new head coach in his corner for his next fight, marking a first in his UFC career.
Adesanya’s association with City Kickboxing spans over a decade, having first trained there in 2009 before making the area his full-time home in 2010 to officially call CKB his training base. The former champion disclosed the direct nature of the separation, stating, “I spoke to Eugene face-to-face and I told him I am not coming back to CKB.”
A Planned Departure and Personal Reflection
Adesanya described the decision as “something a long time coming behind the scenes,” indicating that the move was not abrupt. He confirmed that he and Bareman “have an understanding” regarding the separation. The fighter conveyed his personal feelings about the split, admitting, “I won’t lie, it sucks. Not anymore. Grief comes in waves for me, for most people. It comes in waves. I’ve had great days but I’ve also had days where [this sucks].”
He expressed a desire to address the matter directly and openly, explaining, “It’s a long time coming. I want just want to get it out of the way because I want you to hear it from the horse’s mouth.” Adesanya noted that “No one else has spoken about it,” and that “Those who know are waiting for the ball to drop. I dropped the ball,” ensuring the news came directly from him.
The former champion emphasised the profound importance of this change for his career. He characterised the decision as “bittersweet” but firmly stated, “it’s the right thing for me, especially where I’m at in my career. It’s exactly what I needed.” He seemed to reference a necessary shift in his approach, articulating, “Insanity is doing the same shit and expecting a different result,” implying that his training and preparation required alteration before his next fight. Adesanya also remarked, “I just don’t want to talk about it. It’s something, it sucks, I want to grieve in peace.”
Navigating a Challenging Period and Future Training
Adesanya, now 36 years old, has recently experienced what has been identified as the toughest run of his professional career. This period has seen him register four losses in a row, including a second-round TKO in his most recent outing against Joe Pyfer back in March.
As for his future training arrangements, Adesanya has not yet revealed where he intends to train next. Similarly, he has not indicated who might be put in charge of his upcoming fight camps. However, he has clearly articulated his requirements for future preparation, stating, “What I need for myself is focused, individual training.” He suggested his plan involves a programme where he is “receiving the bulk of the attention” as he gets ready to compete once more.
Acknowledging City Kickboxing’s Impact and Legacy
Despite parting ways, Adesanya took time to acknowledge and commend his former team and the City Kickboxing gym for their foundational role in his journey. He offered praise, stating unequivocally, “CKB made me into the fighter that I am today.” He also recognised the high calibre of athletes that the gym has fostered, noting, “They’ve trained a lot of great fighters, Greats. Even better than myself.”
Adesanya also reflected on his personal contribution to the gym’s international standing. He expressed pride in his role, saying, “I was one of the main pillars that put CKB on the map on the world stage.” He highlighted his influence in elevating the gym “To take it to the next level where people from all over the world want to come train at CKB.”
During his tenure with City Kickboxing, Israel Adesanya carved out a remarkable record within the UFC. From his debut in 2018 until losing his title to Sean Strickland in 2023, he embarked on a notable run as a five-time defending middleweight champion. His career within this period saw him drop the belt to his longtime rival Alex Pereira in 2022, a loss he then avenged with a stunning knockout victory over the Brazilian in 2023, before ultimately suffering a defeat to Strickland.
This major change in his long-standing training environment marks a new and decisive direction for Israel Adesanya. He aims to reinvigorate his career and prepare for future competitions under a new structure.