Tag: Eugene Bareman

Eugene Bareman Details UFC 305 Fight Week Interaction With ‘Very Nice’ Dricus Du Plessis & Co.: ‘I Can’t Speak For Israel…’

Israel Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, recently revealed that despite the fierce animosity between “The Last Stylebender” and Dricus Du Plessis, he shares a surprisingly warm camaraderie with the UFC middleweight champion and his team. Du Plessis is set to make his inaugural title defense against Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305, taking place […]

Continue Reading Eugene Bareman Details UFC 305 Fight Week Interaction With ‘Very Nice’ Dricus Du Plessis & Co.: ‘I Can’t Speak For Israel…’ at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman, recently revealed that despite the fierce animosity between “The Last Stylebender” and Dricus Du Plessis, he shares a surprisingly warm camaraderie with the UFC middleweight champion and his team.

Du Plessis is set to make his inaugural title defense against Adesanya in the main event of UFC 305, taking place this weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.

The tension between these middleweight powerhouses has been building for a while, and it almost reached a breaking point during their fiery altercation in the Octagon at UFC 290 in July 2023. Adesanya and Du Plessis were initially targeted to settle their differences at UFC 293 in September 2023, but “Stillknocks” was forced to withdraw due to an injury.

However, UFC 290 wasn’t the first time these rivals crossed paths in public. Back in 2016, while both were training at the Tiger Muay Thai facility in Thailand, Du Plessis accidentally collided with Adesanya. Unlike their recent heated exchanges, this hasty encounter was marked by mutual apologies rather than harsh words.

Beyond the competitive tension, the animosity between them intensified when “Stillknocks” challenged Adesanya’s African identity, questioning the legitimacy of the Nigerian-born fighter who now calls New Zealand home.

However, this discord doesn’t extend to City Kickboxing’s head coach, who maintains a positive relationship with Du Plessis…

Bareman Reveals His Unique Connection With Team Du Plessis, Distinct From Adesanya’s Experience

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Bareman shared that he enjoys a cordial rapport with Du Plessis and his team despite their complex history with the former middleweight champion.

The esteemed MMA coach recounted first meeting the South African team during a 2016 training session at Tiger Muay Thai. At that time, they established a bond that has only deepened over the years, despite the ups and downs involving his own fighter.

I was actually there; I did some rounds and had a conversation with the boys,” Bareman said. “I was still fighting and sparring, so I remember sparring with the boys and having the video footage where he’s [Du Plessis] sparring Volk [Alexander Volkanovski] and stuff. I’m also in the room sparring somewhere else. Eventually, I got around and we sparred each other as well. Yeah, and I had conversations with them. It was really obvious that they were like brothers, and they were from South Africa, so I remember having some good, decent conversations with them. They’re a very nice team. I can’t speak for Israel, obviously; he’s got his own history, and that’s a little bit different from my history.”

Bareman further noted that he recently interacted with several members of Du Plessis’ team during UFC 305 fight week and found them to be exceptionally respectful.

“They’ve come up to me, made their way through the crowd, and said, ‘Hey Coach Bareman or Coach Eugene, how are you? Good to see you again. It’s been so long. Who would have thought after all these years, after us sparring in that little room, that we would all be in this position?’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s absolutely amazing.’ I just wish them all the best. There’s some stuff going on, and it’s a good story, I guess. But from my experience back then and now, they’re good people.”

It remains highly uncertain whether Adesanya and Du Plessis will put their bad blood to rest after their fight. However, one thing is certain: the showdown is set to deliver an electrifying spectacle for fans, fueled by the deep-seated rivalry between the two fighters.

Continue Reading Eugene Bareman Details UFC 305 Fight Week Interaction With ‘Very Nice’ Dricus Du Plessis & Co.: ‘I Can’t Speak For Israel…’ at MMA News.

Alexander Volkanovski backed to make UFC return despite recent knockout loss: ‘He doesn’t have any symptoms’

Alexander Volkanovski backed to make UFC return despite KO loss he has no symptomsFormer UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski appears to have recovered well following his loss to Ilia Topuria.  Topuria would…

Alexander Volkanovski backed to make UFC return despite KO loss he has no symptoms

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski appears to have recovered well following his loss to Ilia Topuria. 

Topuria would hand Volkanovski his second successive knockout in just three months earlier this month. Ever the competitor, Alexander Volkanvoski wants to get the rematch on but will have to take some time out after two heaving stoppage losses. 

Alexander Volkanovski recovering well from KO loss at UFC 298

On a positive note, one of Alexander Volkanovski’s coaches Eugene Bareman said that the 35-year-old is showing good signs in terms of a concussion, but will still have to take a needed, and deserved break. 

“In terms of his symptoms, he doesn’t have any symptoms,” Bareman said during an interview with Combat TV. “Which was not the case in the last knockout. There’s so many variables when it comes to having a knockout and how much, how many symptoms you suffer, and all of that. I don’t know the science behind it and I’m not gonna begin to try to understand it. But he seems to not be as affected by this concussion as he was by the last one. I won’t be able to tell you why.” 

“He definitely needs to rest. He needs to rest his head. But … he needs to be sensible, but he also will be very keen to get that rematch this year.”

When Volkaonvski does return, Bareman believes that it should be in a rematch against Topuria. The City Kickboxing coach credits Volkaonvski for how he has held himself both in, and out, of the cage. 

“I think he’s done everything that he needs to do as a champion, represented himself, his family, his team, and most of all the company well. He’s been a long-standing champion, he’s defended many times, fought through injuries, taken fights on short notice for the company. He checks every box there is in relation to getting an immediate rematch,” Bareman said.

“And one of the other important boxes he checks: is there a bigger fight to make than that fight in the division? And the answer is no, there’s not. So the team is doing everything we can to secure the rematch and we’ll do everything in our power to turn that result around.”

Will Alexander Volkanovski become UFC champion again?

Israel Adesanya ‘Ready to come back’ amid links to UFC 300 fight: ‘Give us a date and we’ll show up’

Israel Adesanya ready to come back links to UFC 300 fight give us a date and we'll show upFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is “ready” to make his return to the Octagon according to his…

Israel Adesanya ready to come back links to UFC 300 fight give us a date and we'll show up

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is “ready” to make his return to the Octagon according to his head coach, Eugene Bareman, who claims the City Kickboxing staple will make his comeback as soon as he receives word of a date and opponent – amid links to a massive return at UFC 300 in April.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder and current number two ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since September of last year, most recently headlining UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.

Suffering his second middleweight championship loss in the course of a calendar year, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya dropped a spectacular upset loss to Sean Strickland, in the form of a unanimous decision shutout defeat to the outspoken American.

Israel Adesanya “ready” to make UFC return

And linked with a comeback to the Octagon as soon as UFC 300 as the promotion scramble for a makeshift headlining bout just two months out from fight night, Adesanya, who sparred alongside Alexander Volkanovski ahead of the featherweight champion’s return at UFC 298 this weekend, is “ready” to go, according to Bareman.

“He’s (Israel Adesanya) back training,” Eugene Bareman told Combat TV during a recent interview. “So he’s back in the swing of things. Yeah look, we’re training in case there’s an eventuality of a fight so we’re getting him fit and yeah, he’s getting ready to take up a potential date should one come up soon.”

“He’s basically finished his little hiatus and he’s ready to come back,” Bareman said of Israel Adesanya. “So, just give us a date, give us an opponent, and we’ll show up, ready to go. We’ve been going for a good month-and-a-half no. Couple more months, another month-and-a-half, and he’ll be flying. … He’s been making the most of his time off and he feels refreshed and ready to go.” 

Do you think Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 300 in April?

Israel Adesanya ‘Ready to come back’ amid links to UFC 300 fight: ‘Give us a date and we’ll show up’

Israel Adesanya ready to come back links to UFC 300 fight give us a date and we'll show upFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is “ready” to make his return to the Octagon according to his…

Israel Adesanya ready to come back links to UFC 300 fight give us a date and we'll show up

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is “ready” to make his return to the Octagon according to his head coach, Eugene Bareman, who claims the City Kickboxing staple will make his comeback as soon as he receives word of a date and opponent – amid links to a massive return at UFC 300 in April.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder and current number two ranked divisional contender, has been sidelined since September of last year, most recently headlining UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia.

Suffering his second middleweight championship loss in the course of a calendar year, Nigerian-Kiwi striker, Adesanya dropped a spectacular upset loss to Sean Strickland, in the form of a unanimous decision shutout defeat to the outspoken American.

Israel Adesanya “ready” to make UFC return

And linked with a comeback to the Octagon as soon as UFC 300 as the promotion scramble for a makeshift headlining bout just two months out from fight night, Adesanya, who sparred alongside Alexander Volkanovski ahead of the featherweight champion’s return at UFC 298 this weekend, is “ready” to go, according to Bareman.

“He’s (Israel Adesanya) back training,” Eugene Bareman told Combat TV during a recent interview. “So he’s back in the swing of things. Yeah look, we’re training in case there’s an eventuality of a fight so we’re getting him fit and yeah, he’s getting ready to take up a potential date should one come up soon.”

“He’s basically finished his little hiatus and he’s ready to come back,” Bareman said of Israel Adesanya. “So, just give us a date, give us an opponent, and we’ll show up, ready to go. We’ve been going for a good month-and-a-half no. Couple more months, another month-and-a-half, and he’ll be flying. … He’s been making the most of his time off and he feels refreshed and ready to go.” 

Do you think Israel Adesanya headlines UFC 300 in April?

Israel Adesanya claims coach prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean Strickland: ‘I wanted to’

Israel Adesanya claims coach prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean StricklandFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed his corner and head coach, Eugene Bareman prevented him from…

Israel Adesanya claims coach prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean Strickland

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has claimed his corner and head coach, Eugene Bareman prevented him from going out on his shield against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 back in September, despite his demands.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined from the Octagon since that shocking upset loss to Strickland back in September in Australia, dropping his middleweight crown for the second time in the space of a year in the shocking upset blemish. 

Israel Adesanya reflects on UFC 293 loss

Outpointed comfortably by massive betting underdog, Strickland over the course of five rounds, Adesanya claims despite his intentions, head coach, Bareman prevented him from standing and trading with the former in the fifth and final round of their UFC 293 clash, and effectively, going out on his shield.

“I never lost hope, I went back to the corner, and I was like, ‘Right, we ‘go’ this round, we must ‘go’ this round.’” Israel Adesanya told Teddy Atlas during a recent interview. “So, I was – even like when I asked Eugene (Bareman) in the fifth round, like, ‘Is this the fifth round?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ I was like, right, and I said, ‘Should I just should I just go out there and go?’”

“I wanted to,” Israel Adesanya explained. “Like, kind of like, ‘F*ck it, let’s go.’ Like if I die, I die, like, go out on my shield.” (H/T MMA News)

Linked with a potential return to the Octagon in the coming months after laughing off initial claims he would not fight until 2027, former two-time middleweight best, Adesanya appears to have put on some significant muscle mass since his loss to Strickland.

And the recent uptake on mass has led to mass speculation across social media that Adesanya is gearing up for a trilogy rubber match with two-time Octagon foe, Alex Pereira in a bid to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion.

Who do you expect Israel Adesanya to fight in his UFC comeback?

Israel Adesanya tipped to recover from latest UFC title loss in Sean Strickland rematch: ‘He’s seen everything’

Israel Adesanya has seen everything can win in Sean Strickland rematch UFC Eugene BaremanFormer two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to likely prevail in the future – particularly in a mooted title rematch with Sean Strickland immediately, with head coach Eugene Bareman claiming his student has “seen everything” in terms of different styles and gameplan. Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, headlined UFC 293 […]

Israel Adesanya has seen everything can win in Sean Strickland rematch UFC Eugene Bareman

Former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya has been backed to likely prevail in the future – particularly in a mooted title rematch with Sean Strickland immediately, with head coach Eugene Bareman claiming his student has “seen everything” in terms of different styles and gameplan.

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight titleholder, headlined UFC 293 earlier this month in Sydney, Australia – suffering a massive upset championship loss to the above-mentioned, Strickland, over the course of their five round main event championship bout. 

Dropping his undisputed middleweight crown in stunning fashion, Israel Adesanya became the first titleholder in UFC history to lose his championship twice in the space of a year – having dropped the middleweight title to arch-rival, Alex Pereira back in November at Madison Square Garden.

And also suffering his first official knockdown in the opening round of his pairing with the above-mentioned, Strickland in Australia, Adesanya’s coach, Bareman claimed his student likely suffered his loss as a direct result of a “concussion” in the first frame.

“I thought he (Israel Adesanya) did really well with the knockdown and coming back from it but I have no doubt that anybody who’s actually had a fight and knows when you suffer a concussion and get knocked down like that, things happen,” Bareman told Combat TV.”

“Over the whole duration of the fight, you just don’t know what the knockdown does,” Bareman continued. “Has it slowed your reactions down, has it slowed your mental processing down? The knockdown – or the concussion, they can do a myriad of things so I have no doubt that that would have some effect and which is what it’s meant to do.”

Eugene Bareman confident of future UFC success for Israel Adesanya

Widely expected to make a return to the Octagon in an immediate title rematch with Strickland, Adesanya has been touted as ready for any tactical change or gameplan alteration by his head coach.

“No one else has these sorts of athletes because no one else has done the extensive work that we’ve done outside of MMA to gain this type of high-level experience,” Bareman explained. “This is an athlete who’s seen everything, who’s had every type of game plan imposed on him, and every sort of adjustment, every sort of look he’s had in front of him.”

“Sean (Strickland) brought something unique, and it was his awkwardness, and we thought we’d dealt with it,” Bareman continued. “We have to do a better job at dealing with the style that he defends in and some of the intricacies he brings to the table. But, Israel’s seen everything. Not every athlete that gets to the UFC does – barely any of them do. None of them have 100 fights at the highest level.” 

Can Israel Adesanya reclaim the middleweight title again?