After struggling back-to-back losses by the hands of Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, Israel Adesanya will make his highly-anticipated return to motion to face Nassourdine Imavov in the primary occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, 2025.
With two powerful defeats looming at the back of his thoughts forward of a tricky bout towards a person on a three-fight win streak, one other loss can be catastrophic for “The Final Stylebender,” who’s 1-3 in his final 4 outings.
However in keeping with Robert Whittaker — who has two losses to Adesanya — the previous 185-pound champion of the world will get again on observe within the Center East, even when Imavov manages to repeat du Plessis’ blueprint.
“Is Imavov as tanky as Dricus? I believe Dricus sort of…I believe Dricus made like a very good blueprint on easy methods to beat Adesanya: Acquired to make him uncomfortable, come at him, received to go at him, make him stress. Don’t give him house to play,” mentioned “Bobby Knuckles” on his MMArcade. podcast (by way of MMA Preventing).
“I believe Imavov’s received the talent set to try this, however I’d nonetheless lean Izzy being the favourite. He can battle that counter-style so effectively, and in case you don’t fall into his baits, into his traps, he’ll decide you aside.
“I don’t know, as a result of Izzy appeared so good towards Dricus till he didn’t,” Whittaker defined. “I don’t know, I believe that Izzy beats Imavov.”
Imavov — who’s at the moment ranked No. 5 at 185 kilos — has received three straight fights towards Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen. A win over Adesanya wold shoot him nearer to his first-ever title battle. For Adesanya, a victory is of the utmost significance right here as a result of a 3rd straight loss might power him to vary divisions for good.
