Jun 10, 2023; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Nassourdine Imavov reacts after the match against Chris Curtis is declared no contest for unintentional head class during UFC 289 at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

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UFC Fight Night Results: Imavov Makes His Case For MW Title Shot After Knocking Out Israel Adesanya In Second Round!

Imavov stakes his claim for a middleweight title shot, stunning Israel Adesanya with a second-round knockout!

The UFC middleweight division has seen its share of dramatic shifts in power over the past few years. From Israel Adesanya’s artistic reign to Alex Pereira’s thunderous takeover, Sean Strickland’s upset victory, and now Dricus Du Plessis’s era; the 185-pound weight class has been anything but predictable.

Now, Nassourdine Imavov has become the latest fighter to shake up the division’s landscape with a performance that nobody saw coming. The Dagestani-French fighter, who had been quietly building momentum with three wins in 2024, just turned the middleweight division on its head in Saudi Arabia.

Also Read: Former Middleweight Champion Backs Dricus Du Plessis’ Toughness Ahead Of Sean Strickland Rematch

Nassourdine Imavov’s Finish Of Israel Adesanya

When Imavov stepped into the cage with Adesanya, most fans saw him as just another opponent in the former champion’s redemption tour. After all, Adesanya had been here before. He had bounced back from his first loss to Pereira with a spectacular victory in their rematch. But this time was different.

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

From the opening bell, Nassourdine Imavov showed none of the hesitation that previous Adesanya opponents often displayed when facing the striking wizard. He matched the former champion’s famous feints with his own calculated movements, landing heavy body kicks that made ‘The Last Stylebender’ question his movements.

When Imavov unleashed that lightning-quick overhand right in the second round, it was like watching a scene from one of Adesanya’s old fights, except this time, he was on the receiving end. The punch landed with surgical precision, sending the former champion stumbling. The follow-up left uppercut and subsequent ground and pound sealed the deal, and referee Marc Goddard had seen enough!

Title Shot Implications

The timing of Nassourdine Imavov’s victory couldn’t be better, with Du Plessis and Strickland set to battle next week. His post-fight interview, delivered through an interpreter but carrying the confidence of a future champion, made his case clear. He wants the winner of the upcoming title fight.

“I cleaned the weight class in one year. Four fights, two wins against top 10 competition. Two finishes against top 5 competition. Next is the belt.”

The French fighter has now done what few others have managed: he has not only beaten Israel Adesanya but finished him decisively. This puts him in rare company with Alex Pereira and Dricus Du Plessis as the only men to stop ‘The Last Stylebender’ in MMA.

As for Adesanya, this marks his fourth loss in his last five fights, a stunning turnaround for a man who once seemed poised to break Anderson Silva’s title defense record. The fight game can be cruel that way – one moment you’re the artist painting masterpieces in the octagon, the next you’re part of someone else’s highlight reel!

(Image Credit: Sergei Belski – 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!