What happens when a champion like Israel Adesanya hits a roadblock? Can a fresh approach help him rise again? These are the burning questions on every fight fan’s mind as ‘The Last Stylebender’ prepares for his next showdown at UFC Fight Night 250. Adesanya is no stranger to adversity, but back-to-back losses, including a shocking submission to the current middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis have put his career under the microscope.

Now, his coach, Eugene Bareman, is flipping the script with what he calls a “drastic” new approach to training. What does this bold pivot mean for Adesanya’s comeback? Imagine being a coach who has to completely rethink their strategy for a former middleweight champion. That’s exactly where Bareman found himself after Izzy’s August loss to DDP. Speaking to Combat TV, Bareman didn’t mince words about the changes they’ve made.

“There are a few things I’m doing quite differently with Izzy for this fight,” he said. “They’re a lot more drastic than what I’m usually accustomed to doing. I like to take things very steady… but based on past performances, I thought we needed to flip things on its head a bit.” Does this mean Adesanya will look like a completely new fighter in February? Or is this just a course correction to bring back the Adesanya we all know and love?

While Bareman didn’t spill all the details, we are left to wonder, is it just about tough opponents, or is there something more to Izzy’s recent struggles? His recent dip in form is evident and the result is clear. Izzy is slated to feature on a UFC Fight Night Card after nearly 6 years. This particular element is being viewed as a demotion for one of the very best to ever do it. Amid these turbulent times, a vital question has erupted.

Is Israel Adesanya fighting burnout or fighting himself?

Let’s rewind a little. Israel Adesanya’s losses to Sean Strickland and ‘Stillknocks’ left fans and analysts scratching their heads. How could a fighter with such a decorated history struggle like this? One theory is burnout, after all, Adesanya fought five times in less than two years. But the coach sees it differently.

“No, Israel can’t get burned out fighting three or four times a year,” he told She Loves The Gloves. “The issue is what’s happening between these fights. In my opinion, as a professional athlete, Israel didn’t do what he needed to do between those fights to not be burned out.” What does he mean by that? The City Kickboxing head honcho believes that staying sharp at the highest level of the sport requires a focused lifestyle, even during the months when no fight is scheduled.

“You have to live a certain lifestyle, a lifestyle that reinvigorates you,” Bareman explained. “You can’t just wait for the UFC to call with a specific opponent to start the preparation.” So, this perspective raises an intriguing question, are Adesanya’s losses more about what he didn’t do rather than what his opponents did?

Now, as the focus shifts to UFC Fight Night in Riyadh. The opponent, Nassourdine Imavov, is no walk in the park. Riding a three-fight win streak, the #5 middleweight contender smells blood and knows a win over the #2 contender could catapult him into title contention. But here’s where things get even more interesting. After a five-month hiatus, Adesanya isn’t just trying to win, he’s trying to silence the critics. “We’re looking for a very vintage performance,” Bareman assured.

Is this the beginning of Adesanya’s redemption arc? What do you think? Is this comeback destined to be one for the ages, or does Adesanya have too much ground to make up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!