Israel Adesanya knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia
Sunday, 2 February 2025
Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya returned for the first time since last August.
The No 2 contender was knocked out in the second round by No 4-ranked Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia.
A third successive defeat raises questions over Adesanya’s future.
Kiwi star Israel Adesanya was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov early in the second round of their UFC middleweight fight in Saudi Arabia on Sunday (NZT).
The Frenchman landed a brutal overhand punch and it was curtains for Adesanya, who was knocked to the ground and pounced on by Imavov.
Adesanya seemed unhappy that the fight as called so quickly, but Imavov was laying into him and there appeared to be no way back.
It was an impressive show of power with the right hand from Imavov, who moved to a 16-4-1 record.
Adesanya started the fight well and won the first round, using his kicks well and he defended a couple of takedown attempts easily. Imavov did get him with a strong right-hand to the head, but the round was still the Kiwi’s.
“I thought Izzy looked incredible right up until he got caught,” UFC president Dana White said.
“He looked good, was picking him apart, staying on the outside, the takedown defence was incredible, he was chopping that calf kick the whole first round.
“He couldn’t have had a better first round, and then he got caught.”
The result raises questions over Adesanya's future. He is 35 and has suffered three straight losses in the middleweight division - after previous defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. His overall record stands at 24-5-0.
“I don’t know [what’s next],” Adesanya told ESPN following the defeat. “I’ll have to chill and think about things. I’ll relax for a little bit and help the teammates who have fights coming up and yeah see what I want to do.
“I was going to do that anyway but now I’m forced to, so shout out to Nassourdine for that.”
Adesanya, the two-time former middleweight champion, was ranked No 2 before this fight, with Imavov No 4, but that pecking order will change.