Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker have gone from bitter rivals to training partners throughout the space of a number of years.
In only a number of weeks time, Israel Adesanya will return to the Octagon for the primary time in over a yr when he takes on Joe Pyfer within the UFC Seattle foremost event.
‘The Last Stylebender’ is hopeful of snapping what has been a brutal three fight losing streak, last losing by knockout against Nassourdine Imavov.
And ahead of his comeback to the Octagon, the previous middleweight champion has been training with one in all his former rivals, Robert Whittaker.
Israel Adesanya on Robert Whittaker being a ‘good boost’ to his training camp
Adesanya and Whittaker first met within the cage back in 2019 after they fought in a middleweight title unification fight.
‘The Last Stylebender’ scored the second round knockout win, kicking off his reign because the undisputed champion at 185lbs.
And after three successful title defenses, Adesanya rematched ‘The Reaper’ three years later, this time bettering him over a five round decision.
Since then, though, the 2 have grow to be close friends and now training partners, with Adesanya welcoming him into his UFC Seattle fight camp.
“Rob, man, truthfully, among the finest dudes in the sport, not only fight-wise, one in all the GOATs at middleweight, one in all the GOATs from this area of the world and just human being,” Adesanya said in a recent video on his YouTube channel.
“I knew he’s got spirit because whenever you fight someone, you recognize this. But then when you might have to coach with the guy and you truly (get to know him) he’s just dude, man.
“Overall it’s just been boost to have at the tip of my training camp to have a world class fighter like Rob to push me right at the tip of my training camp and get me to the finish line and I’m very grateful that he’s here.”
Whittaker can be coming off the back of two losses and he is about to make a move as much as light heavyweight for his next fight.
And with that, fans are convinced that ‘The Reaper’s’ next fight will come against Magomed Ankalaev in July after recent speculation.