Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has officially confirmed his departure from City Kickboxing, the Auckland-based gym where he spent the entirety of his professional mixed martial arts career. In a statement released Tuesday, the 35-year-old fighter described the decision to part ways with head coach Eugene Bareman as “bittersweet,” marking a significant transition for one of the most decorated strikers in Ultimate Fighting Championship history. The move follows a challenging period for the New Zealand-based athlete, who has recorded losses in his last four professional appearances.
Adesanya’s exit from the gym, which has long been considered a premier destination for elite MMA talent, signals a potential shift in his training approach as he looks to recover from an unprecedented slump in his career. The fighter, known for his technical precision and dominance in the middleweight division, has not secured a victory since his knockout win over Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023, according to official UFC records.
The Evolution of a Championship Partnership
The relationship between Israel Adesanya and Eugene Bareman has been a cornerstone of City Kickboxing’s international reputation. Under Bareman’s guidance, Adesanya ascended to the top of the middleweight rankings, defending his title five times between 2019 and 2022. The gym, co-founded by Bareman, became synonymous with a specific style of high-level kickboxing tailored for the octagon. Throughout his tenure at the gym, Adesanya maintained a close-knit support system, often crediting the team for his rapid rise through the professional ranks.
The decision to leave follows a series of setbacks that have tested the former champion’s momentum. Adesanya’s recent record includes a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023, followed by a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024, as documented by ESPN’s fight statistics. While the specific reasons for the split remain internal, the announcement reflects a mutual acknowledgment that the partnership had reached a natural conclusion following these consecutive defeats.
Assessing the Recent Performance Slump
Adesanya’s current four-fight winless streak—which includes his previous championship reign and subsequent challenges—represents the most difficult stretch of his professional career. Analytics from major combat sports outlets highlight that while his striking accuracy remains high, his defensive metrics in recent bouts have shown vulnerabilities against pressure-heavy opponents. The transition away from City Kickboxing is widely viewed by industry analysts as an attempt to introduce new training methodologies and sparring environments that might address these tactical gaps.
City Kickboxing has not yet released a formal statement regarding the departure, maintaining a professional silence consistent with the gym’s internal culture. The split represents a major personnel change for the Auckland gym, which continues to house several high-profile UFC contenders. For Adesanya, the priority remains a return to the form that saw him record 24 professional victories. His next steps regarding a new training facility or coaching staff have not been publicly disclosed as of this week.
Looking Toward the Next Competition
As of this writing, there is no official date for Adesanya’s return to the octagon. Typically, UFC athletes returning from significant losses undergo a period of reassessment before scheduling their next bout. Fans and followers are currently awaiting updates via his official social media channels, where he has historically communicated major career developments. The UFC has not issued a statement regarding his status in the rankings, though he remains a prominent fixture in the middleweight division.
The professional community will be watching closely to see how this change in environment impacts his future performance. For a fighter who has defined the middleweight division for nearly half a decade, this departure is the first step in a new chapter of his career. Readers interested in the latest scheduling updates or official fight announcements can monitor the UFC’s official event calendar for future fight cards. We invite you to share your thoughts on this development in the comments section below.