Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker. Former UFC champions. Old rivals. Now allies?

That’s how Adesanya framed their relationship in a recent social media post, in which he shared photos and video of himself training with Whittaker, who previously battled Adesanya in a pair of title fights.

Check out the post below, which Adesanya captioned, “New year, new friends.”

The New Zealand representatives (Whittaker was born and raised there and also reps Australia, while Nigerian native Adesanya has long called the country home) look to be in great spirits as they kick off their 2025 campaigns, a far cry from their competitive past.

Adesanya became undisputed UFC middleweight champion in 2019 when he defeated Whittaker via a stunning second-round knockout in Melbourne. He later won a unanimous decision over Whittaker in their rematch at UFC 271 in 2022 to retain the title.

Both are in need of a win after losing their most recent fights. Adesanya failed to become a champion for the third time when he was submitted by Dricus du Plessis this past August, while Whittaker suffered a brutal submission loss of his own when he ran into Khamzat Chimaev this past October. Prior that loss, Whittaker had won his first two fights of 2024.

Adesanya already has his next assignment lined up as he headlines UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1 opposite rising middleweight contender Nassourdine Imavov. Whittaker also aims to get back on track this year after the loss to Chimaev left him with an injured jaw.