Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has suffered another tough loss, marking his third straight defeat and second knockout loss in his career. The Nigerian-born New Zealander was beaten by French fighter Nassourdine Imavov in the second round of their main event clash at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
Adesanya, 35, entered the fight hoping to end his losing streak after dropping his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and then losing to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last August. However, his attempt at a comeback was cut short by a strong and determined Imavov.
A Promising Start Turns Into a Painful Defeat
At the beginning of the fight, Adesanya looked sharp, landing several powerful low kicks that shook Imavov. However, towards the end of the first round, he got caught by a strong shovel hook from Imavov, which snapped his head back. He also absorbed a heavy right hand in the final moments of the round but managed to stay on his feet.
The second round was decisive. Imavov, who was riding a three-fight winning streak before the bout, landed a massive right hand that sent Adesanya crashing to the canvas. He followed up with a left uppercut and a flurry of ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the fight and declare Imavov the winner by TKO.
Adesanya’s Confidence and Future in Question
Before the fight, Adesanya expressed confidence about his place in the sport. Speaking to Stake.com, he said, “I’m always in the title picture. That’s because I’m Israel Adesanya, and I’ve done so much in this game. The belt always comes back around, I’m just doing what I love.”
However, this loss is significant because it is the first time in six years that Adesanya has fought in the UFC without a championship belt on the line. His record now stands at 24 wins, with 16 knockouts and four defeats in his 13-year MMA career.
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A Big Win for Imavov
For Imavov, this was the biggest victory of his career. The 29-year-old fighter, who was born in Dagestan but represents France, has now won four fights in a row, including victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. His dominant win over Adesanya could put him in line for a shot at the middleweight title.
What’s Next for Adesanya?
Adesanya’s future in the sport remains uncertain. Recently, he joked about becoming a “gatekeeper” in the UFC, sparking speculation about whether he will continue fighting at the highest level or take a step back.
Fans and analysts are now questioning what’s next for the former champion. Will he make another attempt to reclaim his former glory, or will this defeat mark the beginning of a decline in his legendary career?
For now, Adesanya remains one of the most well-known fighters in the UFC, but he will need to make a strong comeback if he wants to stay in the title conversation.