UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov delivered thrilling performances on February 1, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This highly anticipated event witnessed former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya face off against Nassourdine Imavov, resulting in an extraordinary second-round TKO victory for the French fighter.
Adesanya, coming off two consecutive losses, entered the octagon with aspirations of reigniting his championship aspirations. He had previously held the title for several years, but after losing it to Alex Pereira and facing another setback against Sean Strickland, the pressure was palpable. At 35 years old, Adesanya aimed to remind fans of his dominant fighting style but was met with fierce competition from the 28-year-old Imavov.
The main event started with both fighters adopting orthodox stances. Adesanya opened with heavy kicks and jabs, attempting to set the pace of the fight. Imavov responded with effective counterattacks, utilizing calf kicks to disrupt Adesanya's rhythm. The first round saw both fighters trading strikes, with Adesanya seemingly having the edge.
Things took a dramatic turn in the second round. Just thirty seconds in, Imavov landed a powerful right overhand, followed by a left hook. This sequence sent Adesanya to the canvas, and Imavov capitalized with ground strikes, forcing the referee, Mark Goddard, to intervene and stop the fight. “I’ve told everyone I’m ready for this moment,” Imavov stated through his translator. “I proved tonight I am the superior striker. Now, the real bonus for me is to fight for the belt.”
With this stunning victory, Imavov improved his record to 16 wins and 4 losses (UFC 8 wins, 2 losses) and secured his fourth consecutive win. Adesanya suffered his third straight defeat, falling to 24 wins and 5 losses (UFC 13 wins, 5 losses). Following the fight, Imavov expressed his gratitude to his family and team, emphasizing, “I am worthy of the belt. And by the way, it’s not pronounced ‘Imamov,’ it’s ‘Imavov.’”
The co-main event also delivered excitement, as England’s Michael “Venom” Page faced off against Shara Magomedov. Page won by unanimous decision, halting Magomedov’s impressive streak, marking his first professional loss. The match displayed tactical prowess, with Page’s diverse arsenal of strikes proving too difficult for Magomedov to handle, resulting in scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Another highlight of the event included Sergey Pavlovich’s convincing victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the fight 30-27. Pavlovich showcased his power and technique throughout the bout, firmly establishing himself as a top contender within the heavyweight division.
Additional fights on the card featured Vinicius Oliveira defeating Said Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision, and Fares Ziam securing victory against Mike Davis, also by unanimous decision. Jasmine Jasudavicius added to her growing reputation with another victory, continuing to impress opponents and fans alike.
Overall, UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov was marked by significant performances and potential new contenders. Imavov’s victory may position him for future title contention as discussions loom around upcoming title fights, including the bout between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland scheduled for February 8, 2025.
UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov was streamed live on U-NEXT for fans around the globe, emphasizing the growing popularity of UFC events outside traditional markets. The event started with preliminary fights at 23:00 Japan time, leading the main card to commence at 2:00 AM the following day.
With this event now behind us, fans eagerly anticipate the next bout featuring the winner of Adesanya vs. Imavov, highlighting both fighters' ambitions moving forward. The yearning for more action-packed nights is evident as UFC continues to gain traction and showcase the best of mixed martial arts on the global stage.