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Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya leaves long-time gym City Kickboxing after 16 years – ‘It’s what I needed’
byAlexander Behunin
Jul 9, 2026, 11:24 PM UTC
Alexander Behuninspecializes in running MMAmania.com’s various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.
Goodbye, CKB
Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya announced today that he is leaving his longtime gym, City Kickboxing (CKB), located in Auckland, New Zealand
Adesanya has been tied to CKB since 2010, building his legendary combat sports career under head coach Eugene Bareman while helping turn the gym into one of the most recognizable teams in mixed martial arts (MMA)
Now, that chapter is over
“I spoke to Eugene face-to-face and told him I’m not coming back to CKB,” Adesanya said in a YouTube video. “It was something a long time coming behind the scenes, and we have an understanding. It’s bittersweet, but it’s the right thing for me, especially where I am in my career. It’s exactly what I needed. Insanity is doing the same s—t over and over, expecting different results.”
The move comes during the roughest stretch of Adesanya’s legendary career
“The Last Stylebender” is currently riding a four-fight losing streak, has been finished in three straight fights and has dropped five of his last six appearances
“2009 is when I first went to CKB, and 2010 is when I actually moved over, and I established myself in Auckland,” Adesanya said. “CKB made me into the fighter I am today. They have trained a lot of great fighters — fighters who are better than me. But also, I am one of the pillars who put CKB on the map on the world stage, to take it to the next level.”
“I’m proud of that,” Adesanya continued. “What I need for myself is focused, individual training, so I made the decision to leave CKB for my own reasons. I’ll leave it at that.”
Adesanya did not reveal where he will train next or what gym will become his new home. However, elite Thailand-based gyms such as Bangtao Muay Thai or Tiger Muay Thai could make sense … maybe American Top Team?
The 36-year-old former UFC champion is coming off a second-round stoppage loss to Joe Pyfer in the main event of UFC Seattle (watch highlights). His last win came against Alex Pereira in 2023
For years, Adesanya and CKB were basically inseparable
But after the toughest run of his career, “The Last Stylebender” is making a major change
Now, we find out if it is the reset he needs
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