Israel Adesanya splits with Eugene Bareman, City Kickboxing

Israel Adesanya has left City Kickboxing and will no longer work with Eugene Bareman, the head coach who guided him through every UFC fight of his career.

The former middleweight champion revealed the split Thursday in an Instagram post, according to MMA Fighting, calling the decision "a long time coming behind the scenes." Adesanya joined the Auckland-based gym in 2009 and relocated there full-time the following year. "I spoke to Eugene face-to-face and I told him I am not coming back to CKB," he said in the video. "This was something a long time coming behind the scenes. We have an understanding. I won't lie, it sucks."

Four-fight skid prompts Adesanya camp overhaul

Adesanya did not detail what triggered the move but hinted at the need to break a familiar pattern. The 36-year-old has lost four straight bouts, most recently a second-round TKO to Joe Pyfer in March. "Insanity is doing the same shit and expecting a different result," he said, per the report. "It's bittersweet. But it's the right thing for me, especially where I'm at in my career."

Between his UFC debut in 2018 and his title loss to Sean Strickland in 2023, Adesanya defended the middleweight belt five times. He credited City Kickboxing with making him the fighter he became but said he now needs a more concentrated approach. "What I need for myself is focused, individual training," he explained. "I've made the decision to leave CKB for my own reasons. I'll leave it at that."

Adesanya gave no indication where he will train next or who will lead his corner when he returns to the Octagon.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Israel Adesanya reveals he’s split with longtime head coach Eugene Bareman and City Kickboxing: ‘A long time coming’