Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker will forever be linked in mixed martial arts lore.
Both are former UFC middleweight champions and future Hall of Famers who live and train in the same corner of the world, one in New Zealand and the other in Australia. They have many high-level common opponents and competed for the championship twice between 2019 and 2022. Adesanya won the first fight by knockout to end Whittaker’s title reign, then prevailed less than 2-1 in a grueling five-round rematch – half a year later.
Now, as they each begin a new chapter in their respective careers – the post-competition chapter – Whittaker has recently spent time helping Adesanya prepare for her upcoming Fight Night main event against Nasudine Imavov competition.
Adesanya told Sportsnet’s Aaron Brownstetter that Whittaker’s presence at Oakland’s City Taekwondo Arena “adds to the back half of this training camp.”
“It’s always good to have new people, new energy and a training facility in this part of your career,” Adesanya explained. “Rob is one of the best players in the world and he’s right here in Sydney, Australia, so it’s great to have someone like that. He comes over and shows some love and I’ll return the favor.”
“It’s great to have him around because he really boosts morale in the gym.”
Saturday’s fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will mark Adesanya’s first title-less fight in nearly six years.
“I do put pressure on myself and stuff like that,” Adesanya said, “but in this fight, not having a title, it just gives me a sense of freedom so I can go in and fight and get paid. ”
When asked about his goals for 2025, the 35-year-old former two-time 185-pound champion said that unlike in previous years, when he plans his entire schedule, this year he won’t just focus on what’s in front of him.
“I just looked at Imavov,” Adesanya said, “and he was the only one in my eyes.”
Imavov defeated Roman Dolizer, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen to win his third straight fight. The 29-year-old from France entered the middleweight division on Saturday, ranked No. 5.
“He’s very crafty, he’s very versatile, but I can offset that by being myself,” Adesanya said of his upcoming opponent’s overall skill set.
Despite a 1-3 record in four starts since 2022, the “last style bender” remains ranked second in the division. Adesanya traded wins with Alex Pereira before the current 205-pound champion moved up a weight class and lost a unanimous decision submission to Sean Strickland , and was submitted by current middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis in the main event of UFC 305 this August.
The UFC debuted in Saudi Arabia seven months ago, in a main event in which Whittaker quickly defeated Ikram Aliskov with a first-round knockout.
Saturday’s headliner will be Adesanya’s 13th consecutive five-round fight.
The co-main event also features two talented prospects in the middleweight division, with Shara Magomedov taking on welterweight Michael “Venom” Page, 15-0 “Venom” Page).
