Israel Adesanya and former opponent Robert Whittaker have joined forces in a heartwarming training session ahead of Adesanya’s upcoming fight against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. The two former rivals, who have clashed twice in the past with Adesanya emerging victorious both times, put aside any personal animosities to train together.
Whittaker’s coach proposed the idea of training together, and Adesanya eagerly welcomed the opportunity. Adesanya expressed his excitement, stating, “I was ecstatic. I was hyped. That was a moment for the MMA world, for us in general, just something to feel good about. Everyone liked this.”
Despite having a plethora of training partners, Adesanya welcomed the addition of Whittaker to his camp, citing the benefits of training with someone of Whittaker’s caliber and experience.
Adesanya emphasized the importance of unity among fighters from the same region, stating, “100 percent, Anzacs united. I’d rather build with him and build together and get the next generation ready to take on the world.”
As Adesanya prepares to face Imavov, he acknowledged the valuable input Whittaker provided during their training sessions together.
The newfound friendship between Adesanya and Whittaker has led both fighters to publicly declare that they are unlikely to meet again in the octagon. Adesanya now considers Whittaker a friend and teammate, hoping their relationship continues to grow.
Adesanya expressed his commitment to working with Whittaker and other fighters from the region to strengthen their collective presence in the MMA world.
Looking ahead, Adesanya hinted at the possibility of collaborating with former rival Alex Pereira in the future, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in the sport.
While there are no immediate plans to work with Pereira, Adesanya acknowledged that it could happen down the line, once the opportunity arises.