Based on his early exchanges with both men, head coach Eugene Bareman probably wouldn’t have believed you if you told him that Israel Adesanya and Dan Hooker would play leading roles in the biggest week of City Kickboxing’s history.
One way or another, Bareman has led the duo to the biggest fights of their lives, with Adesanya taking on Brad Tavares in the main event of Friday night’s TUF 27 Finale and Hooker meeting Gilbert Burns at UFC 226 the following day.
Making it to the pinnacle of the sport at International Fight Week must be a curious feeling for Bareman, a man who has dedicated two decades to combat sports.