Former two-time UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya is set to make his highly anticipated return to the octagon against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh next month.
Adesanya, known for his charisma and dynamic fighting style, believes his presence is vital for keeping the middleweight division exciting.
Speaking with MMA Junkie, the 35-year-old Nigerian-born fighter expressed confidence in his ability to reignite the division:
“Without me, middleweight is getting boring. So, it’s time to make it interesting.”
“For the fans who love the buzz before the fight, the preparation will be boring, but the fight itself will be very exciting.”
“For me, the most important thing is to prove to myself that I’m still the guy. I know I’m one of the best, if not the best.”
Surprising Training Partnership
Adesanya has been preparing for the bout by training with former rival Robert Whittaker, whom he defeated twice during his championship reign.
Their collaboration has sparked reactions across the MMA world, given their history:
Adesanya defeated Whittaker via second-round knockout at UFC 243 (2019).
He also secured a unanimous decision win in their rematch at UFC 271 (2022).
Whittaker, now training alongside Adesanya, believes his former foe remains the favorite against the fifth-ranked Imavov:
“I’d have to lean into Izzy being the favorite. Like, he’s so good at what he does, but Imavov’s a bit of a dog. He can go the distance.”
“His striking is good. I can see him pushing the pace, pushing the pressure to try to make Adesanya make errors, much like how Dricus (Du Plessis) fought him,” Whittaker said on his YouTube channel.
The Road to Redemption
Adesanya’s last two fights ended in defeats:
A shocking upset loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024.
A prior title loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
The fight against Imavov on February 1 will serve as a critical test for Adesanya as he seeks to re-establish himself as the top contender in the middleweight division.
A win could pave the way for Adesanya to reclaim his title and remind the world of his dominance in the UFC.
