March 19, 2025 4: 00 pm ET
Yoel Romero thinks Israel Adesanya needs to taper down in training if he wants to rebound.
Former UFC middleweight champion Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) is on a three-fight losing skid after suffering a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov in February.
Romero, who lost a decision to Adesanya in their 2020 title fight at UFC 248, wants to see “The Last Stylebender” take some time off before fighting again.
“Israel, he needed time, he needed rest,” Romero told Submission Radio. “That’s what I think. He needs to rest a little bit because too much damage. The problem is the UFC doesn’t give you time. When the UFC calls you, you need to come because you have a contract.
“Now, he needs to think about training – not too hard, not too hard in the sparring. He needs to go to training like a therapy, recovery for the body. He doesn’t need now too much sparring. T