Coach blames lifestyle for Israel Adesanya’s defeat to Sean Strickland
Israel Mobolaji Adesanya, a professional mixed martial artist from New Zealand with Nigerian ancestry, is making a comeback on the trends.
Adesanya has fought five times in less than two years, demonstrating his active schedule.
Not everything has gone according to plan: he was defeated by Alex Pereira in the 185-pound division before viciously winning it back in a rematch.
And then, in a match that everyone anticipated he would win, he lost the Middleweight title to Sean Strickland in 2023.
Entering the fight as a giant underdog with minimal expectations, Strickland put on a near masterclass over the course of five rounds. He dropped two-time champ Adesanya in the first round, then used a methodical game plan of pressure and sharp defense to win a convincing unanimous decision and leave Australia with UFC gold.
Eugene Bareman, Adesanya’s coach, asserts that if “The Last Stylebender” had maintained his focus as a champion should, he wouldn’t have burned out.
Speaking to She Loves The Gloves, the coach said, “No, Israel can’t get burned out fighting three or four times a year. The issue is what’s happening between these fights.
” In my opinion, as a professional athlete, Israel didn’t do what he needed to do between those fights to not be burned out. To remain a champion — at the highest level of our sport — you have to live a certain lifestyle, a lifestyle that reinvigorates you.”
Adesanya has hinted that he may take a very long break, but it looks like he will be back in 2024.
