Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

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Three On The Trot For Izzy – Was An Emotionally Overwhelming Weight Cut The Cause Of Israel Adesanya’s Defeat?

Did an emotionally draining weight cut contribute to Adesanya’s loss, impacting his performance in the fight?

Sep 9, 2023; Sydney, NSW, AUSTRALIA; Israel Adesanya reacts during his fight with Sean Strickland (not pictured) in UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasmin Frank-USA TODAY Sports

Israel Adesanya’s rapid fall from grace has left the MMA world stunned and searching for answers. Just over a year ago, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was considered one of the most dominant champions in UFC history, with a highlight reel of victories and a seemingly unbeatable aura in the middleweight division.

His reign included spectacular wins over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, Marvin Vettori, and Alex Pereira, making him appear invincible at 185 pounds. But the cracks began to show when Sean Strickland shocked the world by outstriking the striker at UFC 293. That loss seemed to shake Adesanya’s confidence, leading to a spiraling sequence of defeats.

The weight cuts for these fights appeared increasingly difficult for the former champion, with visible strain during weigh-ins and reports of grueling preparation camps. His fight against Nassourdine Imavov last night was an indication of the grueling weight cuts he is facing. This suggests that perhaps the years of cutting to middleweight were finally taking their toll on his body and mind.

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Adesanya had recently posted footage of him cutting weight. He seemed very emotionally overwhelmed by the process, crying as he lay in a bathtub. The loss of two fights has perhaps shaken his confidence, and the weight cuts only add to this. And his performance against Imavov was an indication of a possible difficulty weight cut.

Also Read: Israel Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira Head to Head: Who Holds The Advantage In The Overall Match-Ups?

Adesanya vs Imavov – The Fight That Changed Everything

Last night’s fight in Saudi Arabia painted a stark picture of a legend potentially at his breaking point. Adesanya started strong in the first round, showing flashes of his old brilliance with crisp leg kicks and stance switches that reminded fans of his glory days.

But everything changed dramatically in the second round when Imavov landed a devastating overhand right. He followed that up with an uppercut that sent the former champion crashing to the canvas. The finish was quick and decisive. This was a sight few would have predicted in Adesanya’s prime.

NASSOURDINE IMAVOV GETS THE BIGGEST KO OF HIS CAREER pic.twitter.com/5ncZW5qPdG
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 1, 2025

It must be noted that Israel Adesanya has faced extreme hard hitters (even Alex Pererira, where he went out standing!) in the octagon. And Imavov, even though he has a very well rounded skillset, isn’t exactly known for his KO power. This has raised questions about his draining weight cuts and the impact it has on his ability to take shots.

This third consecutive loss also raises serious questions about his future in the sport. While some fighters bounce back from losing streaks, the manner of these defeats, particularly this latest TKO loss suggests something deeper than just facing better opponents. The emotional and physical toll of making weight, combined with the psychological impact of recent losses, appears to have transformed one of MMA’s most creative strikers into a shadow of his former self.

For a fighter who once seemed to float like a butterfly in the octagon, Israel Adesanya now moves with the weight of his recent struggles visibly bearing down on his shoulders. The fight game can be unforgiving, and perhaps no one knows this better right now than the former champion. He must now face some hard decisions about his future in the sport.

(Image Credit: Jasmin Frank – Imagn Images)

Israel Adesanya

Nassourdine Imavov

UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!