Navajo Stirling had nothing but positive things to stay about Israel Adesanya after he parted ways with City Kickboxing.
Adesanya (24-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) made the surprise announcement that he has split with his longtime gym after winning the UFC middleweight title twice under the tutelage of coach Eugene Bareman.
Adesanya is currently enduring a rough stretch after losing four-straight bouts. He isn't done fighting yet, but feels the need to change things up in order to rebound.
"I was happy for him," Stirling said of Adesanya's departure during Wednesday's UFC Fight Night 283 media day (h/t Cageside Press). "Sometimes you do need a breath of fresh air, a new opportunity, new surrounding. I know what that does for a fighter.
"Everyone at the gym just
wishes him nothing but the best. He's paved the way for so many of us back home. Not just at our gym but other Kiwi's and Aussies from down under, he's paved the road for all of us. We all look up at him and we all want the best for him."
City Kickboxing is home to UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg. Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker also swung by to help Stirling (10-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) prep for Saturday's UFC Fight Night 283 (Paramount+) co-main event against Jan Blachowicz (29-11-2 MMA, 12-8-2 UFC) at Belgrade Arena in Serbia.
Stirling isn't concerned about his gym's future.
"It didn't get tougher," Stirling said after Adesanya's departure. "We've got loads of guys at the gym – hig names, even names you've never heard of. ... In terms of where the gym's at, we're doing so well. We're in such a good spot right now at City Kickboxing, and I'm a part of that. I'm now a big part of the next surging style of fighters coming through the gym. It's going to be a time."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Navajo Stirling on Israel Adesanya leaving City Kickboxing: 'I was happy for him'
