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Brett Okamoto
Israel Adesanya’s outstanding profession in fight sports activities has come to a crossroads after his fourth defeat in 5 appearances Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Adesanya (24-5) suffered a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov (16-4) at 30 seconds of the second spherical. Imavov rocked Adesanya with a proper hand to the chin and adopted with a powerful left to his chin after Adesanya crashed into the fence. Referee Marc Goddard gave him an opportunity to reply, however as soon as Adesanya rolled onto his abdomen and coated up, the combat was over.
The nontitle bout, which was Adesanya’s first nonchampionship look since 2019, headlined UFC Combat Night time. A win would have stored him in title rivalry — whereas a loss throws his future within the sport into query. For Imavov, it is the most important win of the 28-year-old Frenchman’s profession, and has him eyeing his first shot at UFC gold.
“I mentioned all of it week lengthy, that I used to be in good form and I proved it tonight,” Imavov mentioned via an interpreter. “I proved I used to be a greater striker and now, the actual bonus for me goes to be combating for the belt. There isn’t a doubt I’m prepared for the belt. 4 victories in a single 12 months — the file speaks for itself.”
Adesanya, 35, took practically a 12 months off to regroup in 2024 after dropping his belt in a surprising upset to Sean Strickland in September 2023. Adesanya returned to an instantaneous title shot towards Dricus Du Plessis in August, and misplaced by way of submission within the fourth spherical.
He was favored to defeat Imavov, 29, on Saturday, however he failed to provide a lot of his historic magic. He focused Imavov’s physique with kicks and outlanded him in complete strikes 32-to-18, in line with UFC Stats — however his quantity fashion has lacked effectiveness on this 1-4 skid. He has been knocked out twice in lower than three years after having by no means been knocked down in his MMA profession.
Present champion Du Plessis (22-2) is scheduled to defend his title in a rematch towards Strickland (29-6) in the principle occasion of UFC 312 subsequent weekend in Sydney. The undefeated Khamzat Chimaev looms as a possible title challenger past subsequent weekend’s contest, however Imavov is firmly within the dialog as properly.
Adesanya, who was born in Nigeria and lives and trains out of New Zealand, appeared to query the referee’s choice to cease the combat instantly after returning to his toes, however left the Octagon with out incident.
“I’ve to sit back after which take into consideration issues,” Adesanya mentioned on the UFC postfight present. “I’ll loosen up first for somewhat bit, simply assist the teammates who’ve fights arising and see what I need to do. I used to be going to try this anyway, however now I am compelled to. Shoutout to Nassourdine for that.”
UFC CEO Dana White didn’t appear involved about Adesanya’s prospects transferring ahead, regardless of his latest skid. White praised Adesanya’s efficiency within the opening spherical, which all three judges scored in his favor.
“I assumed Izzy seemed unbelievable till he acquired caught,” White mentioned. “He was choosing him aside, staying on the surface, takedown protection was unbelievable, chopping that calf kick. That entire spherical, he could not have had a greater first spherical, however then he acquired caught.”
