Israel Adesanya opens up about Robert Whittaker’s role in his UFC Seattle training camp
Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker have gone from bitter rivals to training partners within the space of a few years. It’s been over a year since Adesanya’s last fight, but he’s finally set to return at UFC Seattle, where he’ll face Joe Pyfer in the main event.
Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker have gone from bitter rivals to training partners within the space of a few years. It’s been over a year since Adesanya’s last fight, but he’s finally set to return at UFC Seattle, where he’ll face Joe Pyfer in the main event. The former middleweight champion has dropped three straight fights and was most recently knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov.
As he gets ready for his comeback, Adesanya has been working alongside an old rival, Robert Whittaker. Robert Whittaker helping Israel Adesanya’s camp for UFC Seattle Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/Zuffa LLC Israel Adesanya’s return to the UFC is just around the corner, and he’s not coming alone. Robert Whittaker, once a rival, is now a training partner helping him prepare for Joe Pyfer in Seattle.
The two first clashed in 2019 when Adesanya knocked out Whittaker in the second round to become middleweight champion. They met again three years later, with Adesanya winning by decision. But their relationship has changed since then.
They’ve become friends and even training partners, with Whittaker joining Adesanya’s camp for his comeback fight. “Rob, man, honestly, one of the best dudes in the game,” said Adesanya on his YouTube channel. “Not just fight-wise – one of the GOATs at middleweight from this area of the world – but also just a good human being.