Israel Adesanya News
Israel Adesanya explains why he's befriended some of his former rivals
Harry Kettle - February 12, 2025
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has explained why he’s now able to be friends with the likes of Alex Pereira and Robert Whittaker. As we know, Israel Adesanya is easily one of the best middleweights of all time. In many ways, he’s one of the most notable fighters to have ever competed in the UFC – and perhaps mixed martial arts as a whole. Nowadays, however, he’s going through a rough patch in the cage, and that much is an understatement.
Israel Adesanya and Marc Goddard discuss two previous stoppages
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2025
UFC star Israel Adesanya recently ran into referee Marc Goddard and discussed two of the stoppages from his fights by the Birmingham native. As we know, Israel Adesanya was stopped with strikes by Nassourdine Imavov last weekend at UFC Saudi Arabia. He’s been stopped on the feet before in the UFC, by Alex Pereira, in what served as their first meeting in mixed martial arts – and third overall.
Alex Pereira extends offer to train with former rival Israel Adesanya: "Let's make this partnership happen"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2025
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira wants to train with Israel Adesanya. The rivalry between the two kickboxer-turned-MMA fighters is one for the ages. The Brazilian famously won their two fights in the kickboxing ring, scoring a controversial decision win in the first, before flatting Israel Adesanya in the second. While Alex Pereira knocked out ‘The Last Stylebender’ to win UFC gold in 2022, the former champion avenged that defeat the following April.
Israel Adesanya vs Kelvin Gastelum fight inducted into UFC Hall of Fame
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2025
Israel Adesanya vs Kelvin Gastelum is one of the best fights in recent memory and it’s now being inducted in the Hall of Fame. The UFC announced during the UFC 312 broadcast that Adesanya vs Gastelum would be joining the Fight Wing in the Class of 2025. After UFC 236 ended, UFC CEO Dana White had high praise for the fight.
Dricus du Plessis believes Israel Adesanya's days as a top UFC title contender are over: "You'll always have your legacy"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has reacted to Israel Adesanya’s recent loss. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Back for the first time since a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis last fall, Israel Adesanya faced Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Sniper’ entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak, last scoring a decision win over Brendan Allen in September.
UFC 312 headliner Dricus du Plessis reveals fight that made him more nervous than his first title bout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2025
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has named the one fight that had him more nervous than any other bout in his career. Du Plessis worked his way up to the top of the mountain, defeating the likes of Robert Whittaker, Sean Strickland, and Israel Adesanya. There was no easy path for “Stillknocks,” but he has emerged as a UFC champion.
Sean Strickland shockingly praises Israel Adesanya following UFC Saudi Arabia loss to Nassourdine Imavov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2025
Sean Strickland has shown respect to Israel Adesanya following “The Last Stylebender’s” third straight loss. The kind words may come as a surprise to fans given that Strickland and Adesanya had a war of words leading up to their September 2023 clash. Strickland won that bout and the UFC Middleweight Championship, which started Adesanya’s slide. The former two-time UFC middleweight champion was then submitted by Dricus du Plessis, and more recently suffered a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov.
What's next for Nassourdine Imavov and Israel Adesanya after UFC Saudi Arabia?
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
The UFC was in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for a solid UFC Saudi Arabia fight night card. In the main event, Israel Adesanya took on Nassourdine Imavov in a pivotal middleweight bout. Adesanya entered the fight coming off a submission loss to Drcius Du Plessis for the middleweight title. Imavov, meanwhile, was coming off a decision win over Brendan Allen.
Israel Adesanya's coach explains what went wrong in Nassourdine Imavov fight at UFC Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 3, 2025
Israel Adesanya’s striking coach has explained what went wrong during “The Last Stylebender’s” fight against Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya and Imavov headlined UFC Saudi Arabia inside the anb Arena this past Saturday. Adesanya got off to a good start, utilizing his takedown defense and showcasing effective striking. Things went awry in a hurry during the second stanza, however. After being accidentally poked in the eye, Adesanya declined time to recover. Shortly after, he was leveled with a right hand that sent him crashing to the canvas.
Darren Till scolds fans who think Israel Adesanya's downfall has begun: 'I am trying so hard to understand it'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
Darren Till has taken issue with fans who have poked fun at Israel Adesanya suffering his third straight defeat. Adesanya went one-on-one with Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Saudi Arabia headliner. “The Last Stylebender” was hoping that this would be a bounce back fight for him. He had already dropped back-to-back bouts against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.
Dana White reacts to Israel Adesanya's third loss in a row: 'Getting caught is getting caught'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has given his take on Israel Adesanya suffering his third loss in a row. The former two-time UFC middleweight champion shared the Octagon with Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was the first time Adesanya wasn’t competing for UFC gold since 2019. While Adesanya had solid takedown defense and striking in the opening frame, he was stopped early in the second round via TKO.
Joaquin Buckley jokes his breakdown of Israel Adesanya led to string of losses: 'Buddy career has never been the same'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
Rising UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley believes he may played a role in Israel Adesanya’s recent string of losses. Adesanya recently suffered his third defeat in a row. He was hoping to get back to his winning ways when he met Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. Instead, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion was stopped in the second round via TKO.
Pros react after Nassourdine Imavov stops Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
Today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event was headlined by a middleweight contest featuring Nassourdine Imavov taking on Israel Adesanya. Adesanya (24-5 MMA) had entered the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion was coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most previous Octagon appearances.
UFC Saudi Arabia Results: Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Saudi Arabia results, including the main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya (24-4 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion is coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has gone 2-3 over his past five fights overall, earning wins over Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier during that stretch.
UFC Saudi Arabia: 'Adesanya vs. Imavov' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
The Octagon returns to Riyadh for today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event, an 11-bout fight card headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya (24-4 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion is coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has gone 2-3 over his past five fights overall, earning wins over Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier during that stretch.
Daniel Cormier questions Israel Adesanya's motivation ahead of UFC return
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has questioned the motivation of Israel Adesanya ahead of his return to the cage. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. He is set to face Nassourdine Imavov in what will serve as a really interesting test of where he’s at in his mixed martial arts career. After losing to Dricus du Plessis, he knows that it’s now or never if he wants to get back to a world championship opportunity.
Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
In the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -164 favorite while the Frenchman is a +128 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. Ultimately, the pros believe Adesanya will get a win over Imavov, as most of the fighters interviewed believe Izzy’s striking will be the difference. They also believe the former champ’s cardio over five rounds will help him edge out a win.
Nassourdine Imavov dismisses notion that Israel Adesanya is past his prime: 'I don't think he's getting older'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2025
Nassourdine Imavov doesn’t believe Israel Adesanya has lost a step. Imavov and Adesanya are scheduled to collide in the main event of a UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night card this Saturday. Going into the fight, many are wondering if “The Last Stylebender” has fallen out of the elite tier at 185 pounds. Some have gone as far as to say the former two-time UFC middleweight champion is entering gatekeeper status.