Israel Adesanya News
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.
Francis Ngannou sends warm wishes to Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou has wished Israel Adesanya the best ahead of his return to the cage on Saturday. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will make his return to the cage. He’ll do so by taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. For ‘Stylebender’, this serves as a real opportunity for him to prove that he can still mix it up with the best middleweights in the world. On the flip side, Nassourdine Imavov has an opportunity to make a name for himself against a former two-time world champion.
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.
Israel Adesanya eager to "throw hands" with "dangerous" Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2025
Israel Adesanya is expecting a striking match against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Adesanya is set to headline the Fight Night event in his first non-title fight in 2019 when he fought Anderson Silva. The former middleweight champion is coming off a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis after losing his belt to Sean Strickland by decision.
Israel Adesanya is out to make a statement in UFC Saudi Arabia return against Nassourdine Imavov: "I am the best"
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to make a statement against Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is set to return to the octagon this Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since suffering a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis last August, Israel Adesanya will meet Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Sniper’ enters the five-round main event riding a three-fight winning streak, last beating Brendan Allen in September.
UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Adesanya vs. Imavov’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - January 28, 2025
UFC Saudi Arabia is right around the corner as fans await the return of the legend that is Israel Adesanya. Event: UFC Saudi Arabia: Adesanya vs Imavov Date: Saturday, 1st February 2025 Location: anb Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (12pm EST main card)
Michael Bisping predicts UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 27, 2025
Michael Bisping has made his prediction for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya hasn’t won a bout since April 2023 and he’s hoping to return to the win column this Saturday. It’ll be his first non-title bout since 2019. For Imavov, it’s a massive opportunity to score the biggest win of his pro MMA career.
Dan Hooker discusses his friendship with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has discussed his close friendship with Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend. For Israel Adesanya, his mixed martial arts legacy has already been cemented in the eyes of many. He’s an incredible competitor who has won multiple world titles, and he’ll go down in history as one of the best middleweights in UFC history. In addition to that, he’s also been part of City Kickboxing, one of the best teams in MMA, for a long time.
Israel Adesanya expects to train with rival Alex Pereira one day: 'I'll always respect Poatan'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 24, 2025
Israel Adesanya believes it’s only a matter of time before he trains with his former rival Alex Pereira. Adesanya doesn’t anticipate ever fighting Pereira again. The two fought twice under kickboxing rules and two times under the UFC banner. Pereira is 3-1 in total against Adesanya, but “The Last Stylebender” got the last laugh when he knocked “Poatan” out cold in their final meeting.
Robert Whittaker opens up on former feud with Israel Adesanya: "If I could've hit him with a car I would have"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has buried the hatchet with Israel Adesanya. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ famously have had two clashes for UFC gold. They first met in late 2019, in Robert Whittaker’s first title defense. Over a year after going to war with Yoel Romero for five rounds, the champion met interim champion, Israel Adesanya. In Whittaker’s absence, he scored a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum to claim interim gold.
Caio Borralho shares theory on why he isn't fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2024
Caio Borralho wanted to share the Octagon with Israel Adesanya in early 2025, but he thinks he knows why that will have to wait. Adesanya will be taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia. The bout will be taking place on February 1st. It’ll be Adesanya’s first fight off pay-per-view since 2018.
Israel Adesanya plans to remind fans of his greatness in UFC Saudi Arabia return: "Y'all must've forgot"
Josh Evanoff - December 26, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to remind fans how good he is. ‘The Last Stylebender’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a grudge match against Dricus du Plessis in August. In the main event of UFC 305, the two middleweights went back and forth in the first three rounds. However, in round four, ‘Stillknocks’ rocked, and quickly submitted Israel Adesanya to retain middleweight gold.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev: 'I was surprised'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024
Israel Adesanya has offered an explanation for why he wants to eventually share the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev. Adesanya and Chimaev have yet to cross paths. “The Last Stylebender” is coming off a failed bid to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion after being submitted by the current titleholder Dricus du Plessis. As for “Borz,” he’s fresh off the biggest victory of his pro MMA career, forcing Robert Whittaker to tap out in the opening frame of their bout back in October.
Two huge fights announced for UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2024
Two huge fights have been announced for UFC Saudi Arabia – including one involving former champion Israel Adesanya. For the UFC, 2025 is going to be a big year – as is the case for most years with the mixed martial arts leader. There are emerging contenders, interesting veterans and top champions littered throughout every division. In addition to a few blockbuster pay-per-view events to kickstart the year, they’ll also be returning to Saudi Arabia on February 1.
Israel Adesanya opens up on future UFC retirement: "I don't want to be fighting at 40"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has opened up on his retirement plans. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is in a bit of a weird spot at the moment. Israel Adesanya was last seen in the cage at UFC 305 in August, facing middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The bout was the former champion’s first, since suffering a shocking decision loss to Sean Strickland last August. In Adesanya’s absence, ‘Stillknocks’ won the gold.
Israel Adesanya defends Jon Jones following UFC 309 knockout win: "He's given enough"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has praised Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 309 over the weekend in New York City. Back for the first time since submitting Ciryl Gane last March, Jon Jones faced Stipe Miocic. For his part, the 42-year-old former heavyweight champion hadn’t been seen in the cage since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021.