After seeing Israel Adesanya‘s recent sneak peek into his workouts with David Goggins, Joe Rogan surely had a lot to say. The raw, unfiltered footage showed ‘The Last Stylebender’ throwing up mid-session while Goggins stood next to him, calm as ever. For many fans, it was a stark reminder of what “pushing past your limits” truly means. But for the UFC commentator, it was something more—proof that Goggins is more than just a motivational speaker with viral quotes. He’s the real deal!

During episode #2316 of the Joe Rogan Experience, the JRE host did not hold back at all. Reflecting on the grueling training session, he praised Adesanya for even sharing it publicly. “Respect—because David broke him,” Joe Rogan stated. He then explained the full routine: “They ran. Then they did the Airdyne bike. And then they’re doing this… And then they do it all over again.”

For the JRE host, the highlight moment was not just the intensity, but also how David Goggins handled it. “Stylebender is dying,” he said, noting that Goggins is talking to him with normal breath at the same time. This surely impressed the JRE host, who couldn’t help but express through his words that the retired Navy SEAL is the real deal, unlike what many critics on social media would like to accept.

The timing of Israel Adesanya’s “Hell Week” with David Goggins could not have been more telling. After losing his middleweight title to Sean Strickland, failing to regain it against reigning king Dricus Du Plessis, and then suffering another setback in his comeback bout against Nassourdine Imavov, many fans are asking whether he can still compete with the best.

But ‘The Last Stylebender’ seems to be making one last push. “I have a feeling who I want to fight,” he recently stated on his YouTube channel. “I have to get some get-back. Strickland. I’m going to get him back.” Well, the message surely is clear: he’s not finished yet. Definitely not by a long shot.

After all, training with Goggins means it is more than just fitness; it’s about transformation. The ex-Navy SEAL famously pushed Tony Ferguson to his limit last year, and that helped ‘El Cucuy’ go the distance against his opponent, although the result was not in his favor. And now he’s putting Israel Adesanya through the same routine.

David Goggins’ tactics may be unconventional, but Joe Rogan notices something undeniable: results. “Clearly he is [doing this every day]—because look at him,” the JRE host said in surprise, seeing how the motivational speaker was in much better physical shape when compared to the former champion. For this reason, many believe that Goggins may be the perfect fit for Adesanya, a fighter looking to resurrect his career. However, another UFC veteran believes otherwise, as they believe that by training with Goggins, Israel Adesanya is possibly wasting his time.

UFC veteran asks Israel Adesanya to work on his basics instead

After watching David Goggins’ unrelenting treatment of Israel Adesanya, many, like Joe Rogan, were quick to admire the determination required to endure such a routine. However, it is worth noting that while some see Goggins as a game changer, others are questioning whether his bootcamp-style training is the right medicine for ‘The Last Stylebender.’ Former UFC champion Quinton Rampage Jackson raised a legitimate concern: What’s the point of pushing yourself if you’re abandoning the fundamentals that made you successful in the first place? Israel Adesanya may be regaining his mental toughness, but as Rampage stated, “You still have to focus on your martial arts.”

We would be lying if we said this isn’t a valid observation. The Adesanya who danced his way to a championship belt was both surgical and durable. His downfall has not been due to bad cardio or a lack of heart; rather, he has been technically outperformed. When Sean Strickland marched him down at UFC 293 with a high guard and crisp counters, and Imavov stunned him with accurate strikes in Saudi, it was a test of awareness more than will.

Goggins can make you throw up, but he can’t show you how to check a punch or time a counter-knee. That is when the conversation becomes more complex. Israel Adesanya no longer has to prove his toughness; he is a fighter who has suffered, triumphed, and fallen on the highest platforms.

What he needs today is timing, fighting IQ, and perhaps a return to the fundamentals that once made him ‘The Last Stylebender.’ Goggins may start the fire, but someone else must mold it into something sharp again. As Rampage said it out clearly, “There’s nothing wrong with training with Goggins… but don’t forget who you are in there.” What do you think? Should Israel Adesanya continue training with David Goggins? Let us know in the comments.