Nassourdine Imavov made a strong case for a UFC title shot with a stunning second-round knockout of former champion Israel Adesanya in Saudi Arabia.
The 30-year-old Frenchman, known as “The Sniper,” delivered a precise right-hand punch early in the second round, signaling the beginning of the end for Adesanya. Imavov’s swift strike left the former champ reeling, setting the stage for a decisive finish.
This was Adesanya’s first non-title fight since February 2019. The Nigerian-born New Zealander was aiming to reignite his career after losing three of his last four attempts at regaining the title he once held. After losing to Brazil’s Alex Pereira in November 2022, Adesanya won the rematch but fell short in two subsequent title fights—losing by points to American Sean Strickland and suffering a submission defeat by South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis in August 2024.
Adesanya, nicknamed “Stylebender,” began strong in the fight, landing powerful body kicks and using feints to draw out his opponent. Imavov, who entered the ring on a three-win streak in 2024, appeared to be struggling early on.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Imavov landed a thunderous overhand right on Adesanya’s jaw, following up with a vicious left uppercut as Adesanya stumbled to the canvas. Despite the referee allowing Adesanya a moment to recover, Imavov continued his assault, and the referee ultimately stopped the fight, giving Imavov the knockout victory.
“I said it all week long that I was in perfect shape,” Imavov said through an interpreter. “I proved it tonight that I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be to fight for the belt.”
In the co-main event, England’s Michael “Venom” Page won a unanimous decision over Russia’s Shara Magomedov, handing the Russian middleweight his first professional MMA loss. Page showcased his unpredictable striking in a tactical battle, earning the victory on the scorecards.
