Israel Adesanya’s struggles inside the Octagon continued as he suffered a brutal second-round knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night
The former UFC middleweight champion started strong, dictating the pace in the opening round.
Adesanya displayed sharp striking, landing precise kicks and punches that seemed to rattle Imavov.
Instead of his usual cautious approach, Adesanya engaged aggressively, controlling the exchanges. Imavov, feeling the pressure, attempted to close the distance with wrestling but failed to secure a takedown.
Despite Adesanya’s early dominance, landing 26 significant strikes in the first round, Imavov remained composed.
The French-Russian fighter had his own moment toward the end of the round, landing a clean punch that hinted at his growing confidence.
Then came the shocking turn of events in the second round. Just moments into the round, Imavov unleashed a devastating right-hand punch that connected cleanly, sending Adesanya crashing to the canvas.
The impact was immediate, and Adesanya lost consciousness before Imavov followed up with finishing strikes to seal the victory.
This defeat marks Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, following setbacks against Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. It is also his second straight knockout defeat, raising questions about his future in the division.
For Imavov, this victory extends his winning streak to four fights, adding a second knockout victory to his recent record after his bout against Jared Cannonier. His statement win over a former champion solidifies his position as a serious contender in the UFC middleweight division.
