Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman: Nigerian UFC stars exchange blows in training
Former UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Kamaru Usman engaged in a spirited sparring session at Kill Cliff FC in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
The video shows the two Nigerian-born fighters in action, surrounded by heavy bags and gym equipment.
Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya train together
This moment, however, took on a new layer of intrigue with Usman’s recent revelation that he would now be willing to fight Adesanya, citing their shared Nigerian heritage as a motivating factor for the potential matchup.
Adesanya, "The Last Stylebender," and Kamaru Usman, "The Nigerian Nightmare," have both been towering figures in the UFC, though their careers have recently hit rough patches.
Adesanya, a former middleweight champion, endured a brutal second-round knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia earlier in 2025, marking his third straight defeat and fourth in his last five fights.
Along with the video was a message that said, "Finally getting to move with my brother Kamaru.
"These are moments for life, legacy, history! 👑"
Usman, a former welterweight champion with a once-unstoppable 15-fight win streak, has not fought since his loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023.
The sparring session at Kill Cliff FC, generated significant buzz among fans, adding fuel to the conversation, Usman recently stated in an interview that he would now consider fighting Adesanya.