Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya talks to the media after losing to Sean Strickland (not pictured) during UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Eugene Bareman Shares Major Update On Israel Adesanya’s Future

City Kickboxing coach Eugene Bareman reveals the next step for former champion Israel Adesanya in the UFC!

Israel Adesanya’s journey in the UFC has been nothing short of spectacular. From his flashy entrance to his technical striking, ‘The Last Stylebender’ quickly became a fan favorite. His rise to the middleweight championship cemented his place among the elite fighters in the organization.

But lately, the spotlight on Adesanya has dimmed a bit. Fans have wondered what is next for the former champion after a rough patch in his career. His coach Eugene Bareman has always been the steady voice of reason through Adesanya’s ups and downs. The duo from City Kickboxing in New Zealand has formed one of the most successful fighter-coach relationships in recent MMA history. Now, Bareman has shed some light on what might be next for the striking specialist.

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Adesanya Tells Coach He’s Ready to Return

In a surprising revelation on Submission Radio, Eugene Bareman disclosed that Israel Adesanya expressed his desire to fight again while they were in Alex Volkanovski’s dressing room after UFC 314. The moment caught Bareman off guard.

“The one brief conversation he had with me in the changing room at Volk’s. He said ‘Look man, i think i am going to fight again.’ Those are the conversations we are having. Like yeah, i want to fight again and i am ready to fight again.”

According to Bareman, this declaration wasn’t planned or rehearsed. It came from a place of renewed passion after watching his teammate compete. Bareman explained that Adesanya had been taking some much-needed time away from the sport. He further mentioned that they hadn’t discussed potential opponents yet.

Israel Adesanya’s Recent Career Struggles

Adesanya’s recent career trajectory has forced him into a period of reflection. After suffering three consecutive losses, and dropping four of his last five fights, questions have swirled about his future in the sport. His first defeat to Alex Pereira started the downward spiral. That knockout loss was especially painful given their history from their kickboxing days.

What followed was a brief redemption when Adesanya reclaimed his title, but the celebration was short-lived. His subsequent title defense against Sean Strickland ended in disappointment. Then a title fight against Dricus Du Plessis ended in his first ever submission loss. His last outing against Nassourdine Imavov didn’t end well either, with him getting KO’d.

Nassourdine Imavov knocks out Israel Adesanya pic.twitter.com/1mDVOJjl9A
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) February 1, 2025

israel adesanya vs dricus du plessis #UFC305 pic.twitter.com/VYW4mBwnFp
— Ringside promotions (@Ringsidepromo) August 18, 2024

The most concerning aspect of these losses wasn’t just the results but how they happened. Adesanya looked hesitant in fights where he once showed supreme confidence. His counter-striking style, once his greatest weapon, seemed to abandon him. However, now, with a renewed mindset and healthier body, Bareman seems confident that fans haven’t seen the last of Adesanya’s magic in the octagon.

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Israel Adesanya

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!