Nassourdine Imavov took Israel Adesanya’s spot within the contender line by power.
No judges had been wanted for Saturday’s UFC Saudi Arabia major occasion as Imavov scored a stunning second-round knockout of the two-time middleweight champion to cap off the night. After a aggressive opening spherical, Imavov caught Adesanya early within the second and didn’t hesitate as he swarmed with punches to place Adesanya down and power a stoppage.
It was the fourth straight win for Imavov, who seemingly claims a top-5 rating at 185 kilos and is one large step nearer to combating for a UFC title. As for Adesanya, that is the third straight loss for “The Final Stylebender” and his fourth in his previous 5 outings.
The win drew quite a lot of reactions from social media, with Angela Hill criticizing referee Marc Goddard’s resolution to name the combat, writing, “Booo that stoppage!” Nonetheless, others had been merely in awe of Imavov’s efficiency and surprised by Adesanya’s disappointing defeat.
See extra social media reactions from fighters under.
Ugh hate to see Izzy lose again to again
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) February 1, 2025
Imavov solely 29 is loopy bruh the sky’s the restrict Izzy will likely be again
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) February 1, 2025
Maaan Imavov’s proper hand is good! What a efficiency. Bummed for Izzy for certain. What a legend! #UFCSaudiArabia
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) February 1, 2025
Dang was rly pulling for Izzy… sport might be brutal
— Billy Quarantillo (@BillyQMMA) February 1, 2025
Large win for Imavov.. wanted to make an announcement in opposition to a reputation like Izzy, and he did simply that.
It is positively a efficiency that places him proper there when it comes to title talks.. #UFCSaudiArabia
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) February 1, 2025
Main as much as this combat, I noticed EVERYBODY posting about how Imavov can be no match for Izzy… That is the combat sport. It would not at all times matter who’s technically higher..
It issues who’s gonna be higher within the combat… Imavo was higher when it mattered. #UFCSaudiArabia
— Corey ‘Additional time’ Anderson (@CoreyA_MMA) February 1, 2025
