Former UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya suffered his second career knockout loss on Saturday night, falling to Nassourdine Imavov via second-round TKO in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.
The Nigerian-Kiwi fighter, who entered the bout on a two-fight losing streak following defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, started well with a series of hard low kicks.
Imavov remained undeterred, landing a stiff shovel hook that snapped back Adesanya’s head in the first round.
The end came shortly after the second round began when a massive right hand from the Dagestani-born Frenchman dropped Adesanya to the canvas. Imavov followed up with a left uppercut and ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the contest and hand Adesanya his third consecutive loss.
Before the fight, Adesanya had dismissed concerns about his future, telling Stake.com, ‘I’m always in the title picture. That’s because I’m Israel Adesanya, and I’ve done so much in this game.
‘The belt always comes back around, I’m just doing what I love’.
The loss marks the first time Adesanya has competed without a UFC championship on the line in six years and 12 fights. His professional record now stands at 24 wins with 16 knockouts and four defeats in his 13-year MMA career.
For Imavov (15-4), it was the biggest victory of his career, potentially putting him in line for a title shot following previous wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.
The result leaves Adesanya’s future uncertain, particularly after he recently sparked speculation by jokingly referring to himself as a ‘gatekeeper’ in the sport.
