The MMA realm is abuzz as Israel Adesanya, a titan of the Octagon, prepares to step into a ring that has felt foreign to him for nearly six years.
On the auspicious day of February 1, Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) will headline a highly anticipated showdown against the formidable Nassourdine Imavov (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC). This contest marks his first non-title bout since that fateful February of 2019. The stage for this clash? None other than The Venue in the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The announcement reverberated through the MMA community, courtesy of UFC’s illustrious CEO, Dana White, who took to the airwaves on Saturday to share the news. The fight was first teased by the ever-watchful Knockout Alerts on social media.
At the ripe age of 35, Adesanya is determined to break the spell of a two-fight losing streak—an unprecedented low in his storied career. Following an unexpected unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Sean Strickland in September 2023, he found himself in yet another harrowing clash against rival Dricus Du Plessis back in August, where he suffered a submission in the fourth round, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning his future.
On the flip side, the 28-year-old Imavov has been steadily ascending the middleweight ranks since his debut in October 2020. Riding high on a three-fight winning streak, he boasts victories over notable fighters such as Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen—all clamoring to know if he can extend this momentum into the spotlight of this high-stakes encounter.
The burgeoning Saudi Arabian card now proudly showcases:
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Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
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Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page
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Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
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Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
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Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues
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Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
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Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen
For those craving more details, check out MMA Junkie’s event hub for updates on UFC Saudi Arabia.
