The 30-year-old Frenchman lived up to his nickname of “The Sniper” by landing a lightning-fast precision punch with his right hand to signal the beginning of the end of the fight early in the second round.
Fighting in a non-title fight for the first time since February 2019, Adesanya was attempting to kick-start another run for the belt that he controlled for several years before losing three of his last four attempts to be crowned champion.
Imavov knocks out former champ Adesanya to stake UFC title claim
He was dethroned by Brazil’s Alex Pereira in November 2022, but he won the rematch before losing the title again on points to American Strickland and suffering a submission defeat by Du Plessis of South Africa in his last outing in August 2024.
Nicknamed “Stylebender”, Adesanya started well, landing heavy kicks to the body and using feints to draw out his 30-year-old French opponent, who came into the fight following a run of three wins from three in 2024.
However, the tide turned sharply and the writing was on the wall for the Nigerian-born New Zealander when Imavov landed that thunderous overhand right on his jaw, following it up with a vicious left uppercut as his opponent stumbled to the canvas.
Referee Marc Goddard gave Adesanya a chance to recover but as Imavov continued to rain down blows, the referee waved off the fight, resulting in a knockout win for Imavov.
“I said it all week long that I was in perfect shape,” Imavov said through an interpreter. “I proved it tonight that I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be to fight for the belt.”
In the co-main event, England’s Michael “Venom” Page scored a unanimous decision win over Shara Magomedov, handing the Russian middleweight the first loss of his professional MMA career in a tense, tactical battle during which Page used his unpredictable striking to out-point his opponent.
UFC great Israel Adesanya’s bizarre move comes back to haunt him in stunning knockout loss
Loss to Nassourdine Imavov is Adesanya’s third straight defeat
Last win for ‘The Last Stylebender’ came back in April 2023
Israel Adesanya fell to his third straight loss in the Octagon when he was brutally knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia on Saturday night after leaving fans stunned moments before the punch that ended the fight.
‘The Last Stylebender’ had won the first round against his French opponent in the main event on the card but complained that he had been poked in the eye just after the start of the second.
UFC rules state fighters who are poked in the eye can be given time to recover and the referee indicated a time out as soon as Adesanya complained, but the New Zealand-based fighter didn’t take advantage and indicated that he wanted the bout to continue before being dropped by a huge right hand about five seconds later.
Leading UFC reporter Ariel Helwani was among the viewers who were astonished by the result.
‘Wow. Imavov TKOs Adesanya in the second. But not without some controversy. Izzy got poked, told [referee] Goddard he was good and didn’t take any time, 10 seconds later he gets dropped by a right and loses,’ he wrote.
‘Izzy probably should have taken a second to regroup after the poke. But it was his call to keep going right away. Has to live with it.’
Israel Adesanya (left) was dropped by a huge right hand from Nassourdine Imavov (right) at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia
The referee moves in to wave the fight off with Adesanya unable to defend himself
It was the third straight loss for the former middleweight world champion after he lost a shock unanimous decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 293, followed by getting submitted via face crank by Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
The 35-year-old’s last victory was a highlight-reel knockout of Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023, and now fans and experts alike are questioning his future in the fight game.
‘I don’t know [what’s next],’ Adesanya said after the loss.
‘I’ll have to chill and think about things … I was going to do that anyway but now I’m forced to, so shout out to Nassourdine for that.’
He later posted a video to X showing him watching the fight back for the first time, accompanied by the caption, ‘”As real as it gets.” Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk.’
In the footage Adesanya is seen saying, ‘Ahh… fair, fair game,’ after viewing the punch that ended his night, before laughing at Imavov’s celebration.
‘I’m still alive. That’s how the game goes,’ he tells his followers.
While some fight fans went online to claim Adesanya was the victim of an early stoppage, many questioned whether he is still capable of competing with the best mixed martial artists on the planet.
The New Zealand-based former middleweight world champion (right) stunned fans and experts when he refused the offer of a time out to recover from an eye-poke
‘I love @stylebender and the last few fights have been really tough to watch…perhaps the fire has burnt out? Time to hang ’em up?’ one wrote.
‘Done his job, hate to see it end like this,’ another commented.
‘2 time champion. Multiple defenses. Multiple all time great fights. Overcame his biggest foe in dramatic fashion. Legend and first ballot hall of famer but his time has passed,’ said a third.
Adesanya currently has a pro MMA record of 24 wins and five losses after starting his career in the sport way back in March 2012.
His first loss – a unanimous decision to Jan Blachowicz – didn’t come until UFC 259 in March 2021 and he was a two-time middleweight world champion.
The Nigeria-born star also excelled as a kickboxer before switching to mixed martial arts.
