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In a stunning turn of events at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya suffered a second-round knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov.
This defeat marks Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, casting uncertainty over his future in the sport.
The bout began with Adesanya employing his signature leg kicks and agile footwork, appearing to control the pace. However, early in the second round, Imavov landed a powerful left hook, followed by a devastating right hand and ground-and-pound strikes, prompting referee Marc Goddard to halt the fight.
Notably, before the knockout, Adesanya had complained of an eye poke, which was confirmed by television footage, but he chose to continue without taking a recovery period.
Nassourdine Imavov knocked out Israel Adesanya in a shocking upset. Photo credit: GETTY
This loss is particularly significant as it is Adesanya’s third in a row and fourth out of his last five fights, leading to speculation about his standing in the middleweight division and his future career prospects.
Imavov, known as “The Sniper,” expressed his elation over the victory and hinted at a future title shot. He emphasized his perfect condition and superior striking abilities, positioning himself as a strong contender in the middleweight division.
The event was attended by notable figures, including football star Cristiano Ronaldo, who witnessed the unexpected outcome firsthand.
Also read: Israel Adesanya Speaks On Not Headlining a PPV in #UFCSaudiArabia
As the MMA community processes this surprising result, attention turns to Adesanya’s next move. Despite the setback, some commentators note that he might still be just two wins away from a title shot in the division, should he choose to continue his career.
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