Adesanya and Whittaker train together

Former UFC middleweight champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker have joined forces in an unexpected training partnership as Adesanya prepares for his upcoming fight against Nassourdine Imavov on February 1, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration marks a total change in their relationship, which was once defined by fierce rivalry on and off the octagon.

Adesanya, who is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses, shared training footage on social media, captioning it “New year, new friends.” Despite their competitive history—Adesanya defeated Whittaker twice, including a knockout at UFC 243—both fighters are now focusing on mutual growth and skill enhancement. Whittaker expressed his surprise at their newfound camaraderie, stating, “I never thought we’d be here breaking bread.” 

The decision to train together arose from a need for diverse training partners. Whittaker explained that both fighters sought to experience new styles and techniques. “We wanted to work on some new angles… we needed bodies,” he said. They opted for City Kickboxing in New Zealand, where Adesanya trains, after realizing it was conveniently located. 

Adesanya’s upcoming bout is quite important for his career, as a victory could pave the way for another middleweight title shot and his third reign as champion. Whittaker believes Adesanya remains the favorite against Imavov but acknowledges the latter’s potential to push the pace and create challenges. 

This partnership not only benefits Adesanya’s preparation but also provides Whittaker with fresh insights as he plots his return to the octagon following a recent loss to Khamzat Chimaev.

Old foes turned friends is a tale as old as time in the world of sports, and it goes to show that whatever energy you see between two people during a clash ends as soon as the fight is over, which is a healthy way to go about things.