Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, is contemplating his future in the sport after a shocking knockout loss to rising star Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. This marks Adesanya’s fourth defeat in his last five fights, raising questions about his next steps in the octagon.
The highly anticipated matchup between Adesanya and Imavov, which took place at the Mohammed Abdu Arena, was expected to showcase the Nigerian-born Kiwi’s striking dominance. However, in a stunning turn of events, Adesanya was knocked out by Imavov in the second round, marking one of the most surprising results in recent UFC history.
"I’ve been through a lot, and this loss has definitely hit hard," Adesanya said in his post-fight interview. "I’ve always prided myself on my ability to bounce back, but right now, I’m taking some time to reflect on everything. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I’ll make my decision soon."
Adesanya, who once ruled the middleweight division with impressive wins over top contenders, including Robert Whittaker, Kelvin Gastelum, and Paulo Costa, has struggled in recent bouts. His loss to Imavov follows a series of setbacks, including a title defense loss to Alex Pereira, and consecutive defeats to Sean Strickland and Jared Cannonier.
While fans and analysts alike are questioning whether the 34-year-old fighter can regain his former glory, many are eager to see whether the knockout defeat will prompt a shift in his career trajectory.
Imavov’s victory over Adesanya has significantly boosted his profile within the division. The French-born Russian fighter, who now has a four-fight win streak, called the knockout “a turning point” in his career and expressed respect for Adesanya’s contributions to the sport.
"I have the utmost respect for Israel. He’s a legend, and it’s an honor to share the cage with him. This win puts me on the map, and I’m ready for what’s next," said Imavov.