Have we seen the last of The Last Stylebender in his apex best?
Fans can only wonder after Israel Adesanya (24-5) lost to Nassourdine Imavov (16-4) via TKO with just 30 seconds remaining in the second round of their headliner fight for UFC Fight Night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Imavov caught Adesanya with a crushing right hand on the chin followed by a flush left that sent the former two-time UFC middleweight champion crashing to the fence. But instead of fighting back or going out on his shield, Adesanya rolled onto his stomach and covered up, leaving referee Marc Goddard no choice but to stop the fight.
The win over Adesanya is no doubt a defining moment in Imavov’s young career. And he made it known postfight he wants a shot at gold.
“I said it all week long, that I was in perfect shape and I proved it tonight,” Imavov said through an interpreter. “I proved I was a better striker and now, the real bonus for me is going to be fighting for the belt. There is no doubt I am ready for the belt. Four victories in one year—the record speaks for itself.”
Israel Adesanya Now at a Crossroads
While Imamov got the biggest win of his career, Adesanya has now lost three straight and four of his last five. Three of these losses came via stoppage, with two coming via TKO on punches (against Imamov and Alex Pereira) and one via submission (against Dricus du Plessis).
This tough stretch comes after a superlative that included two reigns as middleweight champion and wins over Anderson Silva (UFC 234), Robert Whittaker (twice, in UFC 243 and UFC 271), Yoel Romero (UFC 248), and Paulo Costa (UFC 253).
UFC CEO Dana White doesn’t seem concerned about Adesanya’s losing streak, telling reporters after the fight that he “thought Izzy looked incredible until he got caught.”
“He was picking him apart, staying on the outside, takedown defense was incredible, chopping that calf kick,” White said of Adesanya’s first round performance. “That whole round, he couldn’t have had a better first round, but then he got caught.”
Indeed, The Last Stylebender looked good in that first round. But Adesanya is 35 already and has taken some big hits in this stretch of adversity. And even with his sterling reputation, the two-time champ is likely out of the title picture for now, with Sean Strickland next in line at UFC 312 and Khamzat Chimaev looming as a darkhorse.
In short, Adesanya might need to climb back into contention if he wants middleweight gold again—and it’s a prospect that might not be too appealing for a 35-year-old who has been through some wars. For now, the former champ says he’ll “chill and then think about things” first while helping teammates prepare for their own fights.
What Adesanya does next is anyone’s guess.
