Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has officially announced his departure from City Kickboxing (CKB), the New Zealand-based gym where he has trained since 2010. The announcement, confirmed via his social media channels, marks the end of one of the most successful fighter-coach partnerships in mixed martial arts history.
Adesanya, 36, confirmed that he informed his longtime head coach, Eugene Bareman, of the decision in May 2026. The move comes as the veteran fighter navigates the most difficult period of his career, currently riding a four-fight losing streak, most recently suffering a second-round TKO loss to Joe Pyfer in March.
A Strategic Shift
The decision to leave CKB—a gym that helped propel him to five successful title defenses—is framed by Adesanya as a necessary evolution. “Insanity is doing the same shit and expecting a different result,” Adesanya stated. “What I need for myself is focused, individual training.”
The partnership between Adesanya and Bareman became a cornerstone of the UFC’s middleweight division, with the duo rising to prominence in 2019 when Adesanya claimed the title. Throughout their tenure, they navigated high-profile rivalries, including his trilogy with Alex Pereira. Adesanya acknowledged the emotional weight of the split, describing it as “bittersweet” and “a long time coming.”
The Stakes of a Veteran Pivot
At 36, Adesanya’s career is at a crossroads. While he has not yet announced a new training base or coaching staff, his emphasis on “individualized” attention suggests he is moving toward a smaller, more tailored camp structure. In professional combat sports, such departures are often indicative of a fighter attempting to rectify technical stagnation or physical decline by altering their environment.
The departure leaves City Kickboxing without its most prominent global figure, though Adesanya was quick to credit the gym for his foundational development. “CKB made me into the fighter that I am today,” he noted. As he prepares for a potential return to the Octagon later in 2026, the industry will be watching closely to see if this change in environment can reverse his current downward trajectory.