Nassourdine Imavov Stuns Israel Adesanya with Brutal Knockout at UFC Saudi Arabia

Nassourdine Imavov delivered a career-defining performance by knocking out former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at the main event of the UFC in Saudi Arabia. The shocking upset occurred just 30 seconds into the second round, marking Adesanya’s third consecutive loss and catapulting Imavov into title contention.

The fight started with Adesanya displaying his signature striking—using sharp jabs and powerful kicks to control the distance while Imavov patiently looked for openings. However, Imavov finally found his moment late in the first round when he landed a clean combination that snapped Adesanya’s head back, forcing the former champion to acknowledge his opponent’s power.

As the second round began, Imavov wasted no time. He charged forward and landed a massive right hand that sent Adesanya crashing to the canvas. Before Adesanya could recover, Imavov followed up with a devastating uppercut, leaving "The Last Stylebender" face down. A few more punches followed before referee Marc Goddard stepped in to stop the fight, ensuring Adesanya didn’t suffer further damage.

While Adesanya initially protested the stoppage, he quickly realized Imavov’s dominance. Speaking after the fight, Imavov expressed his confidence in the outcome and his aspirations for the title.

“I feel so good,” Imavov said after the win. “I said it all week long, I was in perfect shape. I proved I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be fighting for the belt. I promised you a special surprise tonight. That was the surprise.”

This victory solidifies Imavov’s place among the elite 185-pound contenders, especially with Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland set to fight for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 312. With four wins in a year, Imavov believes he has done enough to earn a title shot.

Meanwhile, the loss leaves Adesanya in an uncertain position. At 35 years old, he now faces a difficult road back to championship contention after dropping three consecutive fights. Whether he regroups for another run or contemplates his future, Adesanya’s next move will be highly anticipated.