Stirling On Adesanya Leaving City Kickboxing
Navajo Stirling said he was happy when Israel Adesanya left City Kickboxing earlier this month.
Adesanya announced he was cutting ties with longtime coach Eugene Bareman and the New Zealand gym after more than a decade together. The former UFC middleweight champion called the split "a long time coming." MMA Fighting reports Stirling addressed the move during UFC Belgrade media day ahead of his co-main event against Jan Blachowicz on Saturday.
What Stirling Said About Adesanya's Gym Move
Stirling said Adesanya deserved a fresh start after years of dedication to the team. "I was happy for him," he told reporters. "Sometimes you do need a breath of fresh air. A new opportunity. New surroundings. I know what that does for a fighter. Everyone at the gym just wishes him nothing but the best."
The heavyweight/" class="internal-link text-bone underline decoration-ash/30 hover:decoration-gold underline-offset-2">light heavyweight praised Adesanya for opening doors across the region. He paved the way for Kiwi and Australian fighters, Stirling said, and remains a role model at the gym despite his departure.
Adesanya has not revealed his next training destination or when he might return to the cage. Stirling said City Kickboxing did not miss a beat in his absence, pointing to a deep roster that now includes former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker. He described the gym as being in a strong position with a new wave of fighters coming through.
Stirling faces Blachowicz in Belgrade on Saturday in what he called the biggest fight of his career.
Original reporting:
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