In a surprising turn of events at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya suffered a second-round knockout loss to rising star Nassourdine Imavov.
Adesanya, aiming to rebound from consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, began the bout showcasing his signature agility and effective low kicks. However, Imavov remained composed, absorbing the early offense.
In the second round, Imavov seized an opening, delivering a powerful overhand right that staggered Adesanya. He followed up with a precise left uppercut and a series of ground strikes, prompting referee Marc Goddard to halt the contest.
This victory marks the most significant achievement in Imavov’s career, propelling him into the conversation for a future title shot. He expressed his aspirations post-fight, stating, “I hope to get the winner of the upcoming title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.”
For Adesanya, this defeat raises questions about his future in the sport. Once a dominant force in the middleweight division, he has now lost three consecutive fights, casting doubt on his path forward.
The event also featured England’s Michael “Venom” Page securing a unanimous decision victory over Russia’s Shara Magomedov, handing Magomedov his first professional MMA loss.
