Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is making dramatic changes to his training regime as he prepares to face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1 in Riyadh.

After a difficult run of form, Adesanya and his coach, Eugene Bareman, are flipping their preparation approach to address recent shortcomings.

35-year-old Adesanya has lost three of his last four fights, including his middleweight title twice in the span of a year.

His coach, Bareman, revealed they are departing from their usual methods to reignite the Nigerian-born fighter’s dominance in the octagon.

“There are a few things I’m doing quite differently with Izzy for this fight,” Bareman said in a recent interview.

“They’re a lot more drastic than what I’m usually accustomed to doing. I like to take things very steady but, based on past performances, I thought we needed to flip things on its head a bit.”

Adesanya’s Recent Struggles

Adesanya’s recent run has been uncharacteristically difficult for the former champion.

After defeating Jared Cannonier in July 2022, he suffered a TKO loss to longtime rival Alex Pereira, relinquishing his middleweight belt.

Though he reclaimed the title with a sensational victory at UFC 287, he lost it again via unanimous decision to Sean Strickland in September 2023.

Most recently, Adesanya was submitted by Dricus du Plessis in August 2024, leaving fans and critics questioning his place in the stacked middleweight division.

Despite these setbacks, Adesanya’s confidence remains unshaken. Speaking about his motivation to continue fighting, he said:

“Because I can – and I’m really, really, really good at it. I almost forgot how great I was, but then recently I just realised like, ‘F*ck, I’m good at this sh*t.’ I forget because – reasons, but yeah, it’s good to remind yourself.”

Adesanya vs. Imavov Preview

The fight against Nassourdine Imavov will mark Adesanya’s first non-title bout in six years.

Imavov enters the octagon riding a three-fight winning streak, which includes victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen.

Adesanya accepted the challenges his opponent poses but insists his focus remains on his own improvement.

“I know he’s dangerous. I know he’s slick. I like his style. Not bad footwork.”

“He’s dangerous – very well-rounded. It’s not about him, it’s about me. It’s about improving, just writing this chapter.”

A Pivotal Moment for Adesanya

The February 1 clash at the ANB Arena is a crucial opportunity for Adesanya to prove he remains one of the elite fighters in mixed martial arts.

With a professional record of 24-4 (13-4 in the UFC), the bout offers him a chance to reset his career trajectory and silence doubters.

For Adesanya, this fight is about more than just winning—it’s about rediscovering the dominance that made him a star.

With a revamped training regime and renewed determination, the former champion is ready to open a new chapter in his storied career.