The current COVID-19 lockdown in Auckland has forced the team at City Kickboxing to take drastic measures to ensure its four fighters set to feature at UFC 253 next month can continue their fight preparations unhindered.
On Wednesday, featherweight Shane Young and lightweight Brad Riddell were both confirmed to join teammates Kai Kara-France and headliner Israel Adesanya on the September 27 (NZ time) card, where the middleweight champion will defend his crown against Paulo Costa.
All four have been living and training full time at the renowned combat talent factory, along with head trainer Eugene Bareman and a variety of sparring partners, giving new meaning to the term 'fight camp'.
"It's beautiful because right now we are all together, hotted up, locked down at the gym," said Adesanya.
"We are living the simple life; wake up in the gym, eat, train, have a nap, wake up, train again, shower with the boys, sleep."
Last week, the NZ Government announced a complete lockdown for the Auckland region until at least August 26, after a host of new cases were discovered in the community to end a 102-day COVID streak.
Far from an inconvenience, Adesanya says he's savoured the time away from outside distractions, which are becoming increasingly difficult for the superstar to avoid in light of his soaring fame.
"I have no responsibilities outside this, no directions, no obligations. Any obligations I just do over the phone or online - just focus on what I need to do. I have learned to say no to a whole lot of things.
"It throws it back to how it was in China; just the simple things. All I had in my mind was the pursuit of greatness. Even if the lockdown ends on Sunday, it's been a refresher."
The upstairs portion of the gym has been decked out with wall-to-wall mattresses, along with a kitchenette stocked to the hilt with food.
'But I upgraded the mattress now. Now I’m sleeping like a king in here, waking up, getting my work in, repeat. It’s cool, there’s a cool vibe with everyone here doing it together."
The experience has only further strengthened the team's unshakeable bond, which bodes well for their performances come next month, Adesanya adds.
"Having us all under the one roof like this. I mean, we spend most of our time here anyway so it’s not too different, but everyone pushing towards the same goal… it's cool.
"I don't even know how to describe it, I'm just proud man – of everyone."
Wherever it takes place, it seems certain we'll see a 'The Last Stylebender' primed and ready to put those doubting his ability to deal with the powerful, unyielding Brazilian striker.
"This is martial arts, this is skill. Size makes a difference if you know how to use it and are allowed to," Adesanya notes.
"But they are always surprised when they step into the cage across from me and they realise how long I am, my frame. And they feel me in the clinch and feel my strength. It is always a rude awakening."
Asked whether a smaller octagon in Las Vegas could blunt his free-flowing style, Adesanya was dismissive.
"I don't know why people think this will be a factor. I am like: 'cool, I will fight wherever the fight takes place' - this is MMA, adaptability trumps - I am used to this."
The undefeated Costa has left a trail of victims in his wake since his promotional debut in 2017, reeling off five-straight wins, four of which were jaw-dropping knockouts.
According to a growing number of fans and pundits, Costa's high-pressure style will prove to be Adesanya's kryptonite, but the uber-confident Nigerian-born Kiwi envisions nothing short of the continuation of his flawless UFC run come next month.
"Shut down of the year, that’s what you will see in this fight," he said.
"This guy gasses after the first round, I get better as the fight goes on...I saw this fight coming for a long time so, looking forward to putting on another show."
While a location and venue are yet to be confirmed for UFC 253, president Dana White's confirmation that it won't be held in Las Vegas suggests it will take place during the promotion's return to 'Fight Island' in Abu Dhabi.
