Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya pushed his physical limits during an intense training session with retired US Navy SEAL and motivational figure David Goggins, which left the fighter vomiting mid-workout.
In a brief teaser clip shared online, Goggins is heard shouting at Adesanya, “You still want to fight? You still want to be a champ?” Moments later, Adesanya is seen throwing up into a bin—an indication of just how grueling the session was.
The brutal workout came shortly before Adesanya made a surprise appearance at WWE’s WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, alongside UFC CEO Dana White and other celebrities. The Nigerian-born New Zealander has previously expressed interest in joining the WWE in the future.
However, on Tuesday, Adesanya shifted the focus back to the UFC, declaring on his YouTube channel that he wants a rematch with Sean Strickland. “I have to get some get back. Strickland. I’m going to get him back,” he stated.
Strickland defeated Adesanya in September 2023 to snatch the middleweight title, adding to Adesanya’s recent rough patch inside the Octagon. The 35-year-old has now suffered three consecutive losses, including defeats to Nassourdine Imavov and Dricus Du Plessis. His latest bout marked his first non-title fight loss in the UFC.
Despite the setbacks, Adesanya remains one of the most decorated middleweights in UFC history. He claimed the title in 2019 by defeating Robert Whittaker and defended it five times before losing it to Alex Pereira in 2022, whom he later knocked out in a rematch.
His decision to train with Goggins—a man known for pushing physical and mental limits—has stirred mixed reactions online. Some fans applauded his renewed intensity, while others cautioned against following in the footsteps of fighters like Tony Ferguson, who also trained with Goggins before a heavy loss at UFC 296.
Adesanya also raised eyebrows recently by sparring with former rival Robert Whittaker ahead of his bout with Imavov. Though both fighters share ties to New Zealand, fans questioned the effectiveness of the strategy.
As he considers his next move, the former champion is facing one of the most pivotal moments of his career—balancing comeback ambitions, potential WWE crossover opportunities, and the harsh realities of recent UFC performances.
