MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 08: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to fight Alex Pereira of Brazil in ... [+]
The next time Israel Adesanya steps into the UFC Octagon, it will be the first time the former two-time UFC middleweight champion has competed on a non-pay-per-view card since he faced Brad Tavares in the main event of The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale fight card. How long ago was that you ask? So long ago that the event was on FOX Sports 1. The fight, which Adesanya won via unanimous decision, took place on July 6, 2018. Adesanya next competes on February 1 in the main event of the UFC Saudi Arabia fight card.
Since his win over Tavares, Adesanya has fought on 14 consecutive UFC PPV cards, putting together a record of 10-4. Of those bouts, 12 were for UFC gold. During that run, Adesanya had two runs as the UFC middleweight champion. His most recent UFC PPV fight came in August when he lost via submission to current UFC middleweight titleholder Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305.
Those thinking Adesanya would be hung up on the idea of not fighting on a numbered UFC event will be disappointed in the ex-champs outlook on headling the UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night card.
“I still get paid,” Adesanya said on his YouTube page. “There’s still a referee, it’s two of us in there, there’s a crowd. It’s not like in the (expletive) Apex or something, so it doesn’t feel any different. I think people are making it out to be something how they would react to it, but they’re not in my shoes. They’re not in my shorts.
“,,, It’s a Saudi Arabia Fight Night, first of all. I still get paid. It still feels like you’re fighting Israel Adesanya. This is the biggest fight of his life. I have to be the one to halt that. It still feels the same. It doesn’t feel any different.”
UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night Main Event
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to face Dricus Du Plessis of South ... [+]
Adesanya faces Nassourdine Imavov in the first card outside of the United States on the 2025 UFC schedule.
Adesanya (24-4) , who is the No. 2 ranked fighter in the UFC’s 185-pound division, is riding the first two-fight losing skid of his MMA career. The 35-year-old saw his second run as UFC middleweight champion end in September 2023 when he dropped a one-sided decision to Sean Strickland in a fight where he was an enormous betting favorite.
The ex-champ had an opportunity to become a three-time UFC titleholder in August 2024, but fell short in that bout, losing to Du Plessis by rear-naked choke in the fourth round of their UFC 305 battle. The loss was the first submission defeat of Adesanya’s career.
Adesanya said the loss to Du Plessis did not hurt any more than his other setbacks.
“No, not at all,” said Adesanya. “I did my best, and I was in pretty good shape. … The Dricus fight, I was in great shape. I f*cking felt strong, but yeah, definitely room for improvement, and we’ve made those improvements.”
Imavov (15-4-0-1) is ranked fifth in the UFC middleweight division ahead of his UFC Saudi Arabia main event matchup against Adesanya. Imavov is riding a four-fight unbeaten streak. His most recent outing was a unanimous decision win over Brendan Allen in September.
Imavov’s most recent loss came in January 2023 when Sean Strickland bested him via unanimous decision.
The UFC Saudi Arabia fight card takes place on Saturday, February 1 from ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event streams on ESPN+, with prelims starting at 9 a.m. ET and the main card at 12 noon ET.
UFC Saudi Arabia Opening Odds: Adesanya Vs. Imavov Full Fight Card
We will have more on the UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night card as the event gets closer.
