Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov squared off in a Middleweight contest earlier tonight (Sat., Feb. 1, 2025) at UFC Saudi Arabia inside anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Adesanya opened the fight with a powerful combination of kicks. Immediately, “Stylebender” appeared locked in mentally and in great physical shape. Imavov pressed behind his jab, ducked a counter hook, and attempted a double leg shot. It was deep, but Adesanya shucked him off and escaped to distance. Right away, he went back to work with his jab and low kicks. Imavov was having a hard time getting his offense going as Adesanya denied another takedown attempt. He woke up with a lovely uppercut connection! He went back to the double afterward, but he just couldn’t drag Adesanya down.
All told, it was a strong opening round for Adesanya, but Imavov was definitely in it.
Adesanya blasted a left body kick to start round two. After a brief pause do to an eye poke, Imavov stepped down the middle with a brutal 1-2 and floored the former champion! Adesanya tried to recover, but it was a massive connection. Imavov followed up with an aggressive series of ground strikes, forcing the finish.
This was a great fight, the exciting main event that UFC Saudi Arabia needed after a fairly uneventful card. Adesanya looked great for much of the contest, but Imavov’s ability to explode forward with power punches ultimately won the day. He never looked perturbed by Adesanya’s range control and offense, trusting that his own strikes would find the mark.
How long until the French talent fights for UFC gold?
Result: Imavov defeats Adesanya via second-round knockout
For complete UFC Saudi Arabia results and play-by-play, click here.