Imavov defeats Adesanya by TKO

Nassourdine Imavov earned a resounding win against former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, knocking him out in the second round of their bout at UFC Fight Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over the weekend. 

This win was not only monumental for Imavov, who earned his first victory over a top-ranked fighter but also deepened the challenges facing Adesanya, who now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak.

Izzy entered the octagon seeking to revive his career after a series of setbacks. He had previously lost three of his last four title fights, including a notable defeat to Dricus du Plessis in August 2024. 

Saturday’s match was quite special as it was Adesanya’s first non-title fight since 2019, and he aimed to use it as a gateway to reclaim his status in the middleweight division and possibly land a title fight next. Unfortunately, following the loss, the chances of a title fight ever coming his way again are quite low. 

The fight began with Adesanya landing effective body kicks and throwing feints to keep Imavov at bay. However, the momentum shifted dramatically early in the second round when Imavov landed a powerful overhand right that sent Adesanya to the canvas.

Following up with a flurry of strikes, the referee had no choice but to stop the fight just 30 seconds into the round. Imavov’s victory not only solidified his place as a rising star in the UFC but also positioned him as a potential title contender.

Imavov sounded quite confident post-fight, stating that he showed superior skills and is now ready for a championship opportunity. His victory improved his record to 16-4 and marked a significant achievement in his career. 

The knockout was particularly notable as it showed just how vulnerable Adesanya was at this stage in his career, raising questions about his future in the sport at 35 years old, with some fans on social media suggesting he considered retiring at this point.