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Israel Adesanya reveals he’s split with longtime head coach Eugene Bareman and City Kickboxing: ‘A long time coming’

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2 months ago

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Israel Adesanya reveals he’s split with longtime head coach Eugene Bareman and City Kickboxing: ‘A long time coming’

When Israel Adesanya makes his return to action, he'll have a new head coach in his corner for the first time in his UFC career.

On Thursday, the former UFC middleweight champion announced that he's split with longtime coach Eugene Bareman and he's no longer training out of the City Kickboxing gym based in New Zealand. Adesanya has trained there since 2009 before relocating full time to the area in 2010 to call City Kickboxing his home.

“I spoke to Eugene face-to-face and I told him I am not coming back to CKB,†Adesanya posted on Instagram. “This was something a long time coming behind the scenes. We have an understanding. I won't lie, it sucks. Not anymore. Grief comes in waves for me, for most people. It comes in waves. I've had great days but I've also had days where [this sucks].

“It's a long time coming. I want just want to get it out of the way because I want you to hear it from the horse's mouth. No one else has spoken about it. Those who know are waiting for the ball to drop. I dropped the ball.â€

Adesanya didn't deal what exactly led to the split, although he seemed to reference a pattern of his training and preparation that needed to change before he booked his next fight.

The 36-year-old veteran has suffered through the toughest run of his career with four losses in a row including a second-round TKO in his most recent outing against Joe Pyfer back in March.

“It's bittersweet,†Adesanya said. “But it's the right thing for me, especially where I'm at in my career. It's exactly what I needed.

“Insanity is doing the same shit and expecting a different result. I think that's it. I just don't want to talk about it. It's something, it sucks, I want to grieve in peace.â€

While he's no longer working with the coaches or fighters at City Kickboxing, Adesanya paid homage to his now former team for building him into the champion he became in the UFC.

Between his debut in 2018 and losing his title to Sean Strickland in 2023, Adesanya went on a remarkable run as a five-time defending middleweight champion. He dropped the belt to longtime rival Alex Pereira in in 2022 but then avenged that loss with a stunning knockout over the Brazilian in 2023.

“CKB made me into the fighter that I am today,†Adesanya said. “They've trained a lot of great fighters, Greats. Even better than myself. Me as an individual, CKB made me into the fighter that I am today.

“But also, I was one of the main pillars that put CKB on the map on the world stage. To take it to the next level where people from all over the world want to come train at CKB. I'm proud of that.â€

Adesanya didn't indicate where he might train next or who could be put in charge of future fight camps but it appears he plans on running a more focused program where he's receiving the bulk of the attention as he gets ready to compete again.

“What I need for myself is focused, individual training,†Adesanya said. “I've made the decision to leave CKB for my own reasons. I'll leave it at that.â€

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MMA

Tony Ferguson’s next fight brings ‘El Cucuy’ back to Miami

Published

4 hours ago

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September 8, 2026

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Tony Ferguson’s next fight brings ‘El Cucuy’ back to Miami
Tony
Ferguson will return to the boxing ring later this month.

The former
Ultimate Fighting Championship interim champ is scheduled to
face former professional soccer player Kenzo Biyong in a five-round
boxing matchup at Misfits Boxing on Sept. 26 at James L. Knight
Center in Miami.

Tony Ferguson will face Kenzo Biyong at Misfits Boxing on Sept.
26

Ferguson will take on former professional soccer player Kenzo
Biyong on the undercard of Henry
Cejudo vs. “Deen The Great” at Misfits Boxing.

Ferguson is 2-0 under the Misfits banner, with one professional
victory and one exhibition win. His most recent boxing appearance
came in December, when he defeated Warren Spencer by unanimous
decision. Ferguson has also competed in wrestling since then,
losing to Arman
Tsarukyan by technical fall at Real American Freestyle.

Biyong, 28, will make his striking debut against Ferguson, though
he has previous combat-sports experience. He competed in UFC BJJ 7
in April, where Raphael
Ferreira submitted him.

The event will be headlined by Cejudo vs. Nurideen Shabazz, also
known as “Deen the Great.†A heavyweight bout between Chase DeMoor
and Plinio Cruz,
one of Alex
Pereira’s trainers, is also scheduled.

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MMA

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 230 with Dan Ige and Drakkar Klose

Published

6 hours ago

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September 8, 2026

By

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 230 with Dan Ige and Drakkar Klose
Trending:

NSAC doubles down on punishment for UFC 329 fighters, fines Paddy Pimblett and two other big names

The 230th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com, with host Cole Shelton, is live to preview Noche UFC on Saturday.

We're joined by UFC bantamweight Dan Ige (0:00). We close things out by talking to UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose (14:26).

Dan Ige opens up the show to talk about his Noche UFC scrap against David Martinez. Dan chats about moving down to bantamweight and when that idea first came together. He then talks about the practice cut to 135lbs. Dan then talks about whether or not he was surprised to get a top-ranked opponent like Martinez, and why he actually called for this fight and event. He then talks about the style matchup, fresh matchups at 135lbs and what a win does for him here.

Drakkar Klose then closes out the program to talk about his Noche UFC fight against Tommy Gantt. Drakkar talks about another year-long layoff due to injury and when he was fully cleared to return. He then talks about how familiar he was with his opponent and whether or not it caught him by surprise. Drakkar then chats about the style matchup and wanting to bring Tommy into deep waters. Drakkar then talks about what a win does for him and wanting the Beneil Dariush rematch.

Be sure to tune in every Tuesday for another episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN as Cole Shelton chats with fighters to help preview or recap their fights.

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Stay locked to BJPENN.com all week for your Noche UFC coverage.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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MMA

Ex-UFC stars new career takes wild turn during traffic stop

Published

6 hours ago

on

September 8, 2026

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Ex-UFC star's new career takes wild turn during traffic stop
Former
Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Marlon
Moraes now deals with real-world situations, as seen in a
recent South Florida traffic stop.

Viral footage circulating on social media shows Moraes, now working
as a police officer, dealing with a motorist who repeatedly
confronted and verbally challenged him. After several warnings to
back away, the man moved toward Moraes, who responded by taking him
to the ground.

Marlon Moraes hip tosses motorist while working as South
Florida police officer

The incident took place on March 27. Moraes joined the Davie Police
Department in Florida in June 2024 before taking a position with
the Coral Springs P.D. later that year.

In the viral footage, the situation escalates after the motorist
repeatedly insults Moraes and another officer. Moraes warns him
against moving closer before eventually using a hip toss to bring
him to the ground, where other officers move in to handcuff
him.

The incident adds another chapter to Moraes’ unusual post-fighting
career, which has seen him transition into law enforcement while
also returning to mixed martial arts competition. The Brazilian
exited the UFC in 2023 on a seven-fight losing streak. He defeated
Maximiliano
Perez by unanimous decision on Aug. 28, returning to
competition after three years to record his first victory since
2019.

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