Team McGregor and Team Khabib join fans in shock as Israel Adesanya gets knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov: “Father time caught up”

UFC Saudi Arabia results: Nassourdine Imavov knocks out ex-champ Israel Adesanya in a main event stunner at ANB Arena.

Team McGregor and Team Khabib join fans in shock as Israel Adesanya gets knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov: “Father time caught up”

UFC Saudi Arabia video: Nassourdine Imavov KOs Israel Adesanya, makes case for title shot (Source: UFC News (@UFCNews) / X)

Israel Adesanya entered his 14th UFC main event foray looking to improve and lock himself in. This wasn’t about the 185-pound or any other strap anymore. This was about finding back his footing. Nassourdine Imavov was entering his 4th UFC feature headliner at UFC Saudi Arabia. Imavov delivered a stunner that at any other time, would be a clear changing of the guard!

Israel Adesanya stepped into the UFC Saudi Arabia main card lineup (ESPN+, noon ET) on the back of title losses. But that doesn’t mean Adesanya wasn’t potent or dangerous, having gone on a 12-fight title bout streak. However, Nassourdine Imavov (16-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) delivered when it meant the most. He defeated Israel Adesanya via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:30 mark.

YouTube video

The Kiwi-Nigerian opened up the Saudi Arabia Fight Night main event at ANB Arena with high body kicks and range management. Adesanya is a veteran kickboxer, after all, having gone to battle with GLORY HOF Alex Pereira. A minute in, Nassourdine Imavov closed in for a combo but had to fend off a dangerous high kick. He survived a sloppy double-leg takedown but Izzy threw again and staved off on a clinch.

FS Video

With 70 seconds in R1, ‘The Sniper’ closed in on the switch-stance evasiveness and answered Adesanya with a masterclass uppercut. R2 began much the same with the spatial management. Adesanya briefly contemplated over an eye poke, but waved off Mike Goddard.

Imavov drilled him once they began with a right, and cut with an upper blow along the fence. Few more ground-and-pounds and it was more than over! The middleweight Frenchman came here to make a statement and he made it. The combat clique is all here for it.

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Fighters/peers react to Nassourdine Imavov’s KO at UFC Fight Night 250 aka UFC Saudi Arabia

Israel Adesanya has lost before. But “Last Stylebender” always faced and lost to the elite and it meant something with the command he had over the game. Adesanya is #3 in Significant Strikes Landed and most fight time in UFC middleweight.

Top UFC Saudi Arabia responses to Nassourdine Imavov
Top UFC Saudi Arabia responses to Nassourdine Imavov (Source: X)

The Switch-stance/kickboxing legend boasts 6 first-round finishes with his pouncing power. His feint and variable kick arsenal could have proved dangerous, but Nassourdine Imavov vibed those “sticky jabs” and wild legs early.

The Kill Cliff FC striker utilizes his Muay Thai well off the breaks, with short-put range and uppercuts. Much akin to Khalil Rountree, who gave “Poatan” his toughest challenge in recent times. A serviceable Imavov answered well in his lead stance and worked Adesanya, looking for openings. Here are a top few reactions to his win:

The swiping out of someone like Adesanya truly marks a new era in middleweight. MMAJunkie’s columnist Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv — host of@HablemosMMA) had a serene but sad take on socials. He wrote: “It looks like Father Time has caught up to Israel Adesanya. We’re officially in a new era of the UFC middleweight division. #UFCSaudiArabia“.

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Even legend Khabib Nurmagomedov pitched in on the game despite not coaching or relating to either side. It’s a true change of guard indeed. Imavov is now making a strong case for a middleweight title shot. He has won seven of his last eight fights, with his only loss coming up a weight to ex-middleweight champ Sean Strickland. In addition to Adesanya, his four-fight winning streak includes a stoppage of recent title challenger Jared Cannonier.

Related: UFC Fight Night shows will become PPV level events, but only outside the United States