Israel Adesanya leaves City Kickboxing after 16 years

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has left City Kickboxing after a 16-year run with the Auckland gym that turned him into one of mixed martial arts' biggest stars.

Adesanya told head coach Eugene Bareman face-to-face that he would not return to the team, announcing the split in a YouTube video posted Wednesday. "It was something a long time coming behind the scenes, and we have an understanding," he said, per MMA Mania. "It's bittersweet, but it's the right thing for me, especially where I am in my career. It's exactly what I needed. Insanity is doing the same s**t over and over, expecting different results."

Adesanya's rough stretch prompts gym change

The move follows the worst run of Adesanya's career. The former two-time champion has lost four straight fights, been finished in three consecutive outings, and dropped five of his last six bouts. His most recent defeat came against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle, a second-round stoppage in June. Adesanya has not won since beating Alex Pereira in 2023.

Adesanya joined City Kickboxing in 2009 and relocated to New Zealand full-time in 2010, building his kickboxing and MMA careers under Bareman while helping establish the gym as one of the sport's premier camps. "CKB made me into the fighter I am today," he said in the video. "I am one of the pillars who put CKB on the map on the world stage."

The 36-year-old did not name his next training home but said he needs "focused, individual training" going forward. Elite Thailand camps such as Tiger Muay Thai or Bangtao Muay Thai are possible landing spots. No timeline for Adesanya's return to competition has been announced.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya leaves long-time gym City Kickboxing after 16 years – ‘It’s what I needed’