Israel Adesanya News
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.
Michael Bisping claims Israel Adesanya is "done" as a contender after UFC Saudi Arabia loss
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2025
Michael Bisping believes Israel Adesanya is no longer a true contender at middleweight. Adesanya suffered a second-round knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was his third straight loss and he’s now 1-4 in his last fight. Although Adesanya won the first round, Bisping believes the loss proves ‘The Last Stylebender’ is not a contender anymore.
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.
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.
Israel Adesanya issues statement following TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
Israel Adesanya has issued a statement after suffering his third consecutive loss at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Adesanya (24-5 MMA) was returning to action this afternoon for the first time since suffering a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA) this past August at UFC 305. The former UFC middleweight champion was looking to avoid the first three-fight losing skid of his career, as he had dropped a decision to Sean Strickland prior to being tapped out by ‘DDP’.
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: '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.
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.
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)
Robert Whittaker reveals biggest threat Israel Adesanya faces against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 27, 2025
Robert Whittaker believes he knows the biggest challenge that lies ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia for Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Adesanya have become quite chummy recently. The two now train together, and “The Reaper” helped “The Last Stylebender” prepare for Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya and Imavov will collide this Saturday in the main event of a UFC Saudi Arabia card.
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.