Israel Adesanya’s Coach Responds To Steroid Theory

Israel Adesanya’s coach Eugene Bareman has responded to the theory that his fighter is on performance-enhancing drugs.

Fight fans took notice of the shape Adesanya’s right pectoral being different from his left one at UFC 253. Adesanya defended his UFC Middleweight Championship against Paulo Costa on that night. “The Last Stylebender” stopped Costa in the second round via TKO in a one-sided showing.

Appearing on Submission Radio, Bareman shared his thoughts on the theory that Adesanya used PEDs ahead of the bout with Costa (h/t MMAJunkie.com).

“I mean, in typical Kiwi fashion we just kind of laughed it off. Just because we’re, like, so confident, and we know that nothing could be further from the truth. So, like, when something is so outlandish, it kind of becomes funny. Because it’s just so outlandish it kind of takes on this comedy-type feel. So, I found it kind of funny. But it’s outrageous. I think it’s just outrageous. To be pretty honest, we’ve just laughed it off.”

Bareman went on to say that Adesanya will visit a doctor soon to find out what the abnormality is with his chest.

“Like, it’s even funny that we’re even talking about it, because you said there’s an issue, because obviously physically he has that anomaly on his chest, but for us it kind of isn’t an issue. It’s just like, let’s just find out what that is and move on, and who’s the next fight?”

Adesanya improved his perfect pro MMA record to 20-0. He has 15 of those wins coming by way of knockout or TKO. With the victory over Costa, Adesanya now has two successful UFC Middleweight Title defenses. UFC President Dana White has said that if Jared Cannonier defeats Robert Whittaker, then he’ll be next in line to challenge Adesanya for the 185-pound gold, likely in 2021.