Israel Adesanya KNOCKED OUT by Imamov at UFC Saudi Arabia in front of Ronaldo as career hangs in balance
Israel Adesanya KNOCKED OUT by Imamov at UFC Saudi Arabia in front of Ronaldo as career hangs in balance
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ISRAEL ADESANYA is in middleweight limbo following a shock KO defeat to Nassourdine Imamov. The former two-time middleweight champion threw down with the surging contender in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia. Adesanya's back was well and truly up against the wall following consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. But the favourite failed to stop the rot as Dagestani-born Frenchman Imavov picked up the biggest win of his career via a second round KO.
![[Israel Adesanya at a UFC weigh-in.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/israel-adesanya-nigeria-poses-scale-968134739.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Adesanya was light on his feet from the get go and landed a series of hard low kicks that rattled the lead leg of Imavov. Imavov, however, was undeterred and continued to plod forward, putting himself in range to land a stiff shovel hook that snapped back the head of the former champion. Adesanya ate a huge right hand a minute and a half before the end of the round but took it it well. But he didn't take the same shot as well shortly after the restart, crumpling to the canvas.
![[Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov facing off at a UFC weigh-in.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/opponents-israel-adesanya-nigeria-nassourdine-968132263_d9d53a.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And Imavov followed up with a huge left uppercut and a barrage of ground-and-pound that forced referee Marc Goddard to wave off the contest. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
