Twice facing Robert Whittaker in title settings, Israel Adesanya has drafted the Auckland-born favorite into his training camp ahead of his comeback fight at UFC Abu Dhabi at the turn of next month, as he prepares for a pivotal pairing against the surging, Nassourdine Imavov.
Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, returns to action on February 1. in a trip to the Middle East, in a bid to prevent a career-first three-fight losing run.
Sidelined since last August, City Kickboxing star, Adesanya most recently headlined UFC 305 in a championship grudge match challenge against the incumbent, Dricus du Plessis, dropping an eventual neck crank submission loss to the South African.