Featured Columnist IVDecember 14, 2024
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Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is ready to return to the Octagon in February.
Based on ESPN’s Andreas Hale, UFC introduced Saturday that Adesanya will face Nassourdine Imavov in the principle occasion of UFC Battle Night time on the ANB Area in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 1.
The bout will mark Adesanya’s first nontitle combat since 2019, breaking a string of 12 consecutive bouts with a championship on the road.
Adesanya, 35, is coming off back-to-back losses for the primary time in his profession, and he has dropped three of his previous 4 outings.
In his sixth middleweight title protection, Adesanya misplaced to Alex Pereira by fifth-round technical knockout at UFC 281 in 2022. Nonetheless, of their rematch at UFC 287 in April 2023, Adesanya received again the middleweight title.
“The Final Stylebender” misplaced the title as soon as once more in a unanimous-decision defeat by the hands of Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023.
Practically one 12 months later, Adesanya returned to face the brand new UFC middleweight champion in Dricus du Plessis, however du Plessis received by fourth-round submission to retain the title.
Whereas it may be argued {that a} nontitle combat in opposition to Imavov represents a step down for Adesanya, it’s potential that the winner may very well be thrust proper again into the UFC middleweight title dialog.
The 29-year-old Imavov just isn’t as skilled because the 24-4 Adesanya, posting a file of 15-4 with one no contest in 20 profession bouts.
Nonetheless, since shedding to Strickland by unanimous determination in 2023, Imavov is undefeated. His combat in opposition to Christ Curtis was dominated a no contest as a result of an unintended headbutt, and he adopted that up with wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.
Imavov has by no means vied for a championship, however beating Adesanya would give him the kind of signature win he wants with a purpose to he thought of a contender.
At UFC 312 on Feb. 9, du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight title in opposition to Strickland in a rematch, and given the shut proximity to Adesanya vs. Imavov, it will make sense for the winners of each fights to fulfill in a title bout within the close to future.
