Israel Adesanya is back in business, and fans are buzzing. It’s been nearly six years since we last saw him headline a UFC Fight Night event, but now, after a tough loss and a few lessons learned, the former 185lbs gold standard is coming back stronger than ever. So, what’s going on in Adesanya’s camp? How does he feel about his past loss, especially the one that stung the hardest, his defeat to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305?

We’ve got the inside scoop from none other than Navajo Stirling, who’s been training alongside ‘The Last Stylebender’ for years. Stirling, a fellow City Kickboxing fighter, has seen it all up close. He said in an interview with Home of Fight, “He definitely has found a new spark…. he was like training so much. I was like, surely this guy’s got a fight…… he’s putting in the work bro.” Stirling’s been in the trenches with Izzy, and no questions arise when he says Israel’s in a good place; one has to go with his word!

But hey, here’s the big question, is Adesanya still holding onto that loss to Du Plessis? The one that left him feeling like he needed to make changes? Well, when Izzy was asked about it, he didn’t sugarcoat it. “Nah, it doesn’t (sting anymore),” he said. “I did my best, and I was in pretty good shape. I felt great, but there’s always room for improvement. And we’ve made those improvements now.” That’s the mindset of a champion, right?

And don’t you just love it when fighters can admit their shortcomings but still find a way to grow from them? Israel Adesanya even took to social media to share a photo with Du Plessis after the fight, offering his respect and admiration. This man gets it. He knows that losses don’t define you, they’re just part of the journey.

Now, as the former two-time champ gears up to face #5 ranked Nassourdine Imavov, the questions keep coming. Will Izzy come out of his slump stronger? Is he setting himself up for some massive matchups in the future? And honestly, after watching him bounce back before, we wouldn’t bet against him. Well, talking about City Kickboxing; the New Zealand-based MMA gym has given athletes like Izzy and Alexander Volkanovski over the years. But there is someone who could very well lead the next gen of athletes coming out of the Eugene Bareman-led training outlet.

Is Navajo Stirling the future of City Kickboxing?

Meanwhile, let’s talk about Navajo Stirling, this guy is making waves, and not just because of his undefeated record. Stirling is currently 6-0 and on an absolute tear in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He’s coming off his big win at UFC Fight Night on December 14, 2024, where he faced Tuco Tokkos. The result? A solid decision victory. But here’s the thing, while he didn’t finish Tokkos, Stirling showed off some serious skills. His body shots were on point, and it’s clear he’s got the potential to go far.

But you know what’s got everyone talking? It’s not just his wins. It’s the way he’s been trained and mentored by some of the biggest names in the game, including Israel Adesanya. Remember when Adesanya said Stirling could be a better version of himself? That wasn’t just talk. Stirling’s fighting style is precise, and we’re all watching closely to see how his journey unfolds. “Navajo is his own beast and you’ll see his own style show,” Adesanya said about his teammate. “If you think he’s like me now, I think he’s better than me, the next version.”

But let’s be real, what’s next for the protege? Is he going to keep climbing or is this just the beginning of an even bigger breakout? It’s easy to see Stirling’s path unfolding with big names in his future. With his record intact, the hype around him is only getting bigger.

As Adesanya prepares for his fight in Saudi Arabia, and Stirling continues to rise, there’s no shortage of exciting developments coming out of City Kickboxing. So, where do you think Adesanya goes from here? Is he going to reclaim his spot as the middleweight king, or is there another challenge waiting around the corner? And do you think Stirling can follow in Adesanya’s footsteps and break out in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!