Coach Eugene Bareman reveals why he lied to Israel Adesanya about fights after Alex Pereira kickboxing rematch
Israel Adesanya's coach Eugene Bareman has explained why he lied to his star pupil about not being able to get him fights after his KO loss against Alex Pereira. Adesanya lost to Pereira twice in the sport of kickboxing -- by unanimous decision in 2016 and via third-round KO in their rematch in 2017.
On the latest edition of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, City Kickboxing (CKB) gym head coach Eugene Bareman was asked about Adesanya's brutal KO defeat.
Bareman suggested that he did worry that the loss could adversely affect Israel Adesanya. That is why he lied to him about not being able to get him fights in the ensuing months. The CKB coach recalled that he kept 'The Last Stylebender' away from fighting for "a good part of most of the year" to ensure that he recovered well.
Don’t forget Alex Pereira is the only person to ever KO Israel Adesanya 😤
https://t.co/jYCuPl83Vv
Bareman further pointed out that some local commissions give fighters a mere 30-day medical suspension after KO losses. He added that he believes in keeping his fighters away from competition for much longer:
"I would've given him close to a year, almost a yea... And to be honest, I'll admit there would've been times when I lied about getting him a fight. He would've come back after three; it's been a long time, but three months, six months, he would ask for a fight. And I would've just said to him, I said, 'Look, there's no fight available right now. I can't get you a fight. No one wants to fight you.' And it would've been a bald-faced lie, but my lies had good intentions."
Watch Bareman discuss the topic at 45:05 in the video below:
Israel Adesanya revisits his KO loss to Alex Pereira
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is scheduled to defend his title against archnemesis Alex Pereira at UFC 281 on November 12.
Heading into his bout against the only fighter who's knocked him out in the combat sports realm, Adesanya insinuated that he got a bit overzealous in his rematch against Pereira.
The fight we wanted! 💯
The fight we're getting! 🔥
Madison Square Garden, NYC! 🗽
Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira for the UFC Middleweight Championship! 🏆
#UFC281 https://t.co/6zP2Ar8fKu
Taking to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Israel Adesanya indicated that he expended too much energy trying to finish Alex Pereira. He credited 'Poatan' for rallying and stopping him in round three. Vowing to rectify his mistakes, 'The Last Stylebender' said:
"That was me not staying true to my style. I know how to touch this guy bad. I know how to vary my attacks and I know how to fight properly. I might just jab and leg-kick him.'
Watch Adesanya address the topic at 7:50 in the video below: