Israel Adesanya’s legendary UFC career has taken another hit as he was knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov during the main event of UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, February 1.
The decisive moment came just 30 seconds into the second round when Imavov landed a powerful right cross followed by a clean left uppercut and a flurry of ground strikes, leaving Adesanya unable to recover. The loss marked a dramatic turn for the former middleweight champion, who has now suffered back-to-back defeats.
The first round was a closely contested affair. Adesanya, fighting in his first non-title bout in six years, utilized his reach advantage to land sharp jabs and connected with effective knees in the clinch. However, Imavov maintained his composure and bided his time, ultimately delivering the knockout blow that ended the bout.
In the aftermath, Imavov called for a title shot, stating he had earned the opportunity by defeating the New Zealand star. He will now await the outcome of the middleweight championship fight between current champion Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney next weekend.
For Adesanya, the defeat could signal the end of his pursuit of another title run. With a Hall of Fame-worthy career that includes a reign as one of the sport’s most dominant champions, this latest setback may prompt the 34-year-old to consider retirement, leaving behind a legacy that few in the UFC will ever replicate.
Nassourdine Imavov’s victory over Israel Adesanya marks a significant milestone in his career and establishes him as a legitimate title contender in the middleweight division. At just 29 years old, Imavov has shown remarkable improvement since joining the UFC ranks. The win over Adesanya extends Imavov’s impressive streak, following recent victories against top-ranked opponents Brendan Allen and Jared Cannonier. His ability to finish fights and his well-rounded skill set make him a dangerous threat to anyone in the division.
Watch the video below…
NASSOURDINE IMAVOV KNOCKS OUT ISRAEL ADESANYA IN THE SECOND ROUND!!! WOW #UFCSaudiArabiapic.twitter.com/gr08h2RgaI
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 1, 2025
