Israel Adesanya, one of the most successful fighters in the UFC, is facing uncertainty about his future in mixed martial arts. His coach, Eugene Bareman, has hinted that retirement might be on the table for the former middleweight champion. Adesanya is currently on a three-fight losing streak, a first in his career, which includes defeats to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis, and most recently, Nassourdine Imavov.
Bareman, who has worked closely with Adesanya throughout his UFC career, expressed that he is unsure about Adesanya’s next move. “Izzy is being Izzy,” Bareman said, indicating that Adesanya is taking time to focus on himself. He added, “If he’s going to fight again, then he’s going to fight again. If he’s not, we’ve been blessed, I’ve been blessed, the world’s been blessed, the team’s been blessed. But it’s completely up to him [to make a decision about retiring]”.
Adesanya’s recent performances have raised questions about his future in the sport. After his last loss, he mentioned taking time to reassess his situation, suggesting that he is considering his options carefully. Fans and analysts alike have speculated about the possibility of retirement, given his recent struggles and the fact that he has already achieved significant success in his career.
If Adesanya decides to retire, his legacy in the UFC will be remembered as one of the greatest. He successfully defended his middleweight title five times and had a remarkable run as the face of the division. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Bareman’s comments emphasize that the decision is entirely Adesanya’s, and fans will have to wait to see what he decides next.