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Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest names the sport of mixed martial arts has ever produced. Despite still retaining his superstar status, his career in the sport may have now run its course.
'The Last Stylebender' surpassed the level anybody believed he was capable of when he made the transition over to MMA from kickboxing. Having a specialist style, many expected him to struggle at the highest level in the cage but the New Zealander was able to capture the UFC middleweight strap and defend it five times.
Israel Adesanya now finds himself on a three-fight skid for the first time across his entire journey through combat sports.
Questions are being asked of his future, and while it's still uncertain what the UFC ace will do, fans have been given some clarity.
"Izzy is being Izzy," coach Eugene Bareman said. "I don't know what he's doing next but that's a good place to be."
"Yeah, he's just doing him. I don't know."
Bareman then hinted that a potential retirement decision is looming over Adesanya's head.
"If he's doing to fight again then he's going to fight again."
"If he's not, we've been blessed, I've been blessed, the world's been blessed, the team's been blessed."
"But it's completely up to him [to make a decision about retiring]."
Eugene Bareman has had the privilege of working with a plethora of talented fighters under the City Kickboxing banner.
Dan Hooker, Kai Kara-France, and rising star Carlos Ulberg are just some of the names fighting out of CKB but none come close to Israel Adesanya's level of success and standing within the sport.
If fans have seen the last of Adesanya, his time inside the octagon will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest in the 31-year history of the UFC.
Listen to Eugene Bareman's comments on Israel Adesanya and more below.
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Pros Predict Dricus Du Plessis Vs. Khamzat Chimaev – ‘That’s A Tough One’
UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis will defend his belt against the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, with MMA pros weighing in on the matchup. Du Plessis (22-2) has been on a tear, winning 11 straight bouts. After dethroning Sean Strickland at UFC 297, the South African standout defended his crown against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 and then turned back Strickland again in a rematch at UFC 312. Chimaev (13-0), despite limited activity since 2023 due to injuries, has made a major impact in his few appearances. Victories over former champion Kamaru Usman and elite contender Robert Whittaker have kept his hype alive. Here is how MMA insiders saw the fight playing out. Predictions “That one is tough. I’m going with Khamzat Chimaev. He seemed like a future champ for a long time, and he finally becomes the champ here,” (Diego Ferreira, UFC lightweight) “I think DDP gets it done. I think he survives the first two rounds and then takes over,” — (Drakkar Klose, UFC lightweight) “I’m going with Dricus Du Plessis. He’s too big a guy and has the gas tank to extend this fight,” (Mario Bautista, UFC bantamweight) “I think Khamzat needs to get DDP out in the first or second round to win. Dricus is a tough out for anyone, and I do think Dricus can survive and then take over and even maybe finish Chimaev late,” (Marcus McGhee, UFC bantamweight) “That’s a tough one. If it goes past a couple of rounds, DDP. I don’t think Chimaev has the gas tank to go all five rounds, but I think DDP survives and defends his belt,” (Davey Grant, UFC bantamweight) “Khamzat by submission. He’s the real deal,” (Steve Garcia, UFC featherweight) “I think Dricus has been a very tough cookie to crack, and grappling is his thing. Even if Chimaev gets him down, his bottom game is good, and I think Du Plessis keeps the belt,” (Eryk Anders, UFC middleweight) “Khamzat Chimaev. He’s not cutting weight, and I think he gets another early finish here to send a statement to the whole UFC,” (Terrance McKinney, UFC lightweight)
Browns' Shedeur Sanders could be losing valuable opportunity after injury update
Just when it seemed everything was going right for Shedeur Sanders, the Cleveland Browns' rookie quarterback caught an unlucky break on Wednesday. The 23-year-old QB was sidelined during Wednesday's joint practice with the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering an oblique injury. Per Kelsey Russo of the team website, the 2025 fifth-round pick won't practice Thursday and is considered day-to-day. He is deemed unlikely to play in Saturday's preseason game against Philadelphia, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on NFL Network. Before Wednesday's practice, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed rookie QB Dillon Gabriel will start against Philadelphia as long as he's healthy enough to play. The 2025 third-rounder missed Cleveland's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers because of a hamstring issue. However, Stefanski previously said Sanders would get more reps this week after a solid preseason debut. The former Colorado Buffaloes star received the start in the 30-10 win over Carolina, going 14-of-23 passing for 138 yards and two touchdown passes. Not playing against Philadelphia could disrupt Sanders' momentum. More importantly, it may eliminate another opportunity for him to overtake Gabriel in Cleveland's four-way QB competition. Sanders is listed as the Browns QB4 behind Gabriel, Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco on the team's unofficial depth chart. Despite questions about Gabriel's size (5-foot-11, 205 pounds), the coaching staff seems to favor him over Sanders. Earlier this offseason, Gabriel's processing speed reportedly impressed Browns coaches, giving him an edge over Sanders. The former Oregon Ducks star also received reps with the first-team offense during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, while his fellow rookie didn't. If Gabriel plays well against the Eagles, that would continue to affirm the coaching staff's confidence in the 24-year-old QB. Neither Sanders nor Gabriel is expected to be the Week 1 starter for the Browns. It's likely going to be Flacco, who helped Cleveland make the playoffs in 2023 when he went 4-1 during a late-season stretch. Still, another solid preseason showing could help Sanders position himself to replace 40-year-old Flacco in the future. With the setback, it may take more time to climb the depth chart.
Yankees Announce Paul Goldschmidt News After Loss to Twins
The New York Yankees won their first series of August in a three-game set against the Minnesota Twins from Monday to Wednesday, but they're still in trouble. They're only one game ahead of the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL Wild Card spot with six weeks left in the regular season. The Yankees beat the Twins 6-2 on Monday and 9-1 on Tuesday before losing 4-1 on Wednesday, but Tuesday's victory came at a price. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt left early and didn't play on Wednesday, a night in which New York especially needed his bat. The Yankees released an update on Goldschmidt after Wednesday night's game, via MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. The 37-year-old has a low-grade knee sprain with inflammation. He's slashing .276/.331/.422 with 10 homers and 40 RBI over 112 games. Fellow first baseman Ben Rice went 1-for-4 in Goldshmidt's stead on Wednesday. The 26-year-old is slashing .233/.326/.456 with 17 homers and 38 RBI over 101 contests. Paul Goldschmidt comments on injury Goldschmidt said that he hopes he can avoid the IL with a "short-term" absence, via Hoch. While Rice is a high-upside player in his second year, the seven-time All-Star is still a more dependable contact hitter at this point. Goldschmidt is third on the squad with 110 hits, although his younger counterpart's OPS is 30 points higher. The Yankees need the veteran back as soon as possible to help them maintain their Wild Card spot. His presence allows Rice to play catcher, which is optimal given Austin Wells's struggles. The 26-year-old is slashing just .206/.264/.408 with 15 homers and 56 RBI over 94 games. Up next for New York is a road series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Goldschmidt's former team.
Former Oregon WR's career may have new life after transfer decision
Ryan Pellum's career with the Oregon Ducks was over before it even started, but it may have new life. The former four-star wideout from Long Beach, California, was ranked as the No. 26 wide receiver in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Pellum took a redshirt last season at Oregon before hitting the transfer portal in January. He was then arrested and charged with assault with use of a firearm after he allegedly pistol-whipped someone in his hometown on Christmas Day in 2024. In June, Pellum was sentenced to probation as part of a plea deal, and now he's trying to get his college football hopes back on track. As such, it's being reported that Pellum will transfer to Delaware State for the 2025 season. Notably, he'll be joining up with former NFL star and three-time Pro Bowler DeSean Jackson, who is heading into his first season as the Hornets' head coach. As a senior in high school, Pellum caught 66 passes for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was at one time committed to USC, but he flipped to Dan Lanning and the Ducks on signing day. Delaware State, located in Dover, Delaware, is an FCS program that is a part of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Hornets went 2-21 over the past two seasons under head coach Lee Hull, who was fired less than two years after he took over the program.
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