Israel Adesanya’s struggles in the UFC continued on Saturday night as he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia. The defeat marks Adesanya’s third straight loss, raising serious questions about his future in the sport.
Controversial Second-Round Knockout
- Adesanya won the first round against Imavov but complained of an eye poke early in the second.
- Despite the referee indicating a timeout, Adesanya refused to pause, signaling he was ready to continue.
- Just seconds later, Imavov landed a huge right hand, dropping Adesanya before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.
Reaction and Fallout
- UFC analyst Ariel Helwani reacted to the stunning outcome:
“Izzy got poked, told the ref he was good, didn’t take any time, and 10 seconds later got dropped. He probably should have regrouped, but it was his call.” - Fans and experts are now debating whether Adesanya, once a dominant middleweight, can still compete at the highest level.
Adesanya’s Recent Struggles
- The former middleweight champion previously lost a unanimous decision to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and was submitted by Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.
- His last victory came via knockout over Alex Pereira at UFC 287 in April 2023.
Adesanya’s Response & Future
Following the loss, Adesanya took to social media, acknowledging the setback:
“Rolled the dice… snake eyes. I’ll be back. Gone to get some milk.”
He also reviewed the knockout punch, accepting defeat with a laugh: “Fair game. That’s how the fight game goes.”
What’s Next for Adesanya?
With a pro record of 24 wins and 5 losses, the 35-year-old faces an uncertain future. Some fans believe it may be time for him to retire, while others argue he still has more to offer.
For now, Adesanya will take time to reflect on his career, but his latest defeat has left many wondering if his era at the top is officially over.
