Navajo Stirling walked into UFC Belgrade fight week without his usual training partner. The Navajo Stirling Israel Adesanya reaction has been revealed this week. It came after Adesanya announced his split from City Kickboxing earlier this month. Stirling said he held no bad feelings toward the decision at all.
Adesanya left the Auckland gym after more than sixteen years and a difficult four-fight losing streak. Stirling faces former champion Jan Blachowicz in the UFC Belgrade co-main event this Saturday. He addressed the gym departure directly during fight week media obligations.
What Navajo Stirling Actually Said About the Split
Stirling spoke about the departure during UFC Belgrade media day this week. He said he was happy for Adesanya rather than upset about the move. He explained that sometimes a fighter genuinely needs a fresh start and a new opportunity elsewhere.
Stirling acknowledged how much Adesanya had given to the gym and its fighters over the years. He said City Kickboxing has not skipped a beat despite the departure. He credited the depth of talent at the gym for keeping standards high without their most famous member.
Why Israel Adesanya Left City Kickboxing
Adesanya announced his exit from City Kickboxing and head coach Eugene Bareman on his YouTube channel earlier this month. He trained there for over sixteen years alongside fighters like Dan Hooker, Alexander Volkanovski, and Carlos Ulberg. He cited a need for individualized training as his primary reason for the split.
The decision followed a difficult stretch that saw him lose four straight fights. His most recent defeat came by knockout against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle earlier this year. He described the decision as bittersweet but necessary for the next stage of his career.
How Adesanya Is Still Supporting Stirling From a Distance
Despite the split, Adesanya has continued supporting his former teammates from a distance. He publicly backed Stirling to beat Blachowicz using superior wrestling in their upcoming fight. He compared the matchup to his own loss to Blachowicz at UFC 259, where wrestling proved decisive.
Adesanya said Stirling learns new techniques and applies them faster than almost anyone he has trained alongside. He recalled bringing Stirling to his own big fight weeks so the younger fighter could learn the process firsthand. That mentorship appears to be continuing even after the formal split from the gym.
The Blachowicz Fight That Awaits Stirling This Weekend
Stirling 10-0-0 faces Jan Blachowicz in the light heavyweight co-main event of UFC Belgrade this Saturday. Blachowicz originally had a different opponent scheduled before this matchup was finalized. Stirling accepted the fight on short notice, right after celebrating his previous win inside the Octagon.
Robert Whittaker has stepped in to help Stirling prepare for the fight at City Kickboxing. Stirling has admitted he will need to rely on his youth against the experienced Polish veteran. The gym’s depth of talent continues even with its most recognizable name now training elsewhere.
Conclusion
The Navajo Stirling Israel Adesanya reaction reflects genuine respect rather than any lingering tension between the two fighters. Stirling enters the biggest fight of his career with City Kickboxing’s full support behind him. Whatever happens against Blachowicz on Saturday, the gym’s next generation appears to be in good hands.
