Nassourdine Imavov delivered the biggest victory of his career with a stunning second-round knockout of former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.
The shocking upset came when Imavov landed a powerful right hand that sent Adesanya crashing to the canvas. He followed up with a brutal uppercut, forcing Adesanya to fall face down as the referee stepped in to prevent further damage. The fight ended just 30 seconds into the second round.
“I feel so good,” Imavov said after the fight. “I said it all week, I was in perfect shape. I proved I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is fighting for the belt. I promised a special surprise tonight—that was the surprise.”
Adesanya started the fight strong, using his signature striking skills to control the distance with jabs and kicks. However, Imavov stayed patient and found his opening, landing a well-timed combination that rocked “The Last Stylebender” towards the end of the first round.
At the start of the second round, Imavov charged forward aggressively, connecting with the knockout punch that sealed his victory. Referee Marc Goddard had no choice but to step in as Imavov continued his assault.
With this victory, Imavov has firmly positioned himself as a top contender in the middleweight division. As Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland prepare to battle for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 312, Imavov made it clear that he deserves the next title shot.
“I think there is no doubt I’m worth the belt,” Imavov declared. “Four victories in one year … the results speak for themselves.”
For Adesanya, this loss marks his third consecutive defeat, raising questions about his future in the division. At 35, the former champion faces a tough road ahead as he decides his next move following this devastating knockout.