With Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imamov are set to struggle on February 1st in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at UFC Battle Evening 250. The previous two-time middleweight champion shall be seeking to get again within the win column. Now on a two-fight shedding streak to the likes of former champion Sean Strickland and the present South African champion in Dricus Du Plessis. The previous middleweight king is seeking to make an announcement, that he’s nonetheless a contender within the division he dominated over for a very long time. Nonetheless, his opponent on this trade isn’t any straightforward match-up for “The Last Stylebender.”
Nassourdine Imamov
Nassourdine Imamov previously yr has been very profitable in his personal proper. With him happening a 3-fight win streak in 2024, and is now seeking to begin off 2025 with a bang. Because the Frenchman shall be seeking to get a profession spotlight received over one the best middleweights in UFC historical past. Since switching trainers, Nassourdine Imamov has seemingly reworked from his kickboxing-reliant model to a full-blown combined martial artist after his loss to Sean Strickland in 2023. Completely revamping his model and with the ability to win on the highest degree of the division.
Israel Adesanya’s decline and Nassourdine Imamov’s rise
With the previous champion on a two-fight shedding streak, many are questioning if Israel Adesanya remains to be championship degree, and a win over a surging prospect in Nassourdive Imamov will you’ll want to silence the numerous critics he has amassed over his illustrious profession. Particularly a younger prospect most identified for his glorious putting prowess. Nonetheless, a fighter like Nassourdine Imamov is nobody to miss and the previous is unquestionably not doing that. As he sees himself because the older veteran now going through down a younger fighter seeking to acquire fame off his head
“I feel like the guy, like the old dog. And then there’s the young guys coming up trying to prove themselves, so it’s my job to send them back down and let them know I’m still here.”
The previous champ Israel Adesanya mentioned in his press convention about his upcoming bout
Nonetheless, the presently ranked #5 within the division Nassourdine Imavov is seeking to take the scalp of the previous champion with vicious intent. As his earlier showings have been much more aggressive and technical. Resembling his brutal end of the title challenger Jared Cannonier, regardless of the controversial stoppage. Then going to win in an clever vogue towards fellow rising star and ranked contender in Brendan Allen. In a bout the place Imamov would face nice adversity within the first spherical, however would come to out-grapple and outwork Brendan Allen within the latter half of the struggle.
Displaying nice enhancements in grappling talent, his struggle IQ, and total turning into a greater combined martial artist and never simply counting on his apparent power. Israel Adesanya’s high-level kickboxing is an issue for anybody within the division.
Nonetheless regardless of Nassourdine Imamov’s rise and Israel Adesanya’s decline within the rankings. The betting odds nonetheless have the previous champion as a slight favourite to defeat Imamov.
