Israel Adesanya, after suffering a third consecutive loss in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event against Nassourdine Imavov, expressed disappointment and uncertainty about his future in fighting, acknowledging the need for reflection and time away from the octagon.
Israel Adesanya, a name synonymous with dominance, didn’t see this coming. Two losses already in his rearview mirror, he stepped into the UFC Saudi Arabia main event with determination. But Nassourdine Imavov had other plans, ending Adesanya’s night in the second round with a flurry of punches.
Post-fight, Adesanya couldn’t hide his disappointment. “Disappointed,” he said simply. His fans and team felt the sting too, despite their pride in his efforts. It’s the thrill—and agony—of the game.
The fight was a rollercoaster for Adesanya. He started strong in round one, only to face a swift downfall in the second. All that preparation, all that sweat, culminating in an unexpected defeat. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.
Adesanya knows this pain is his alone. “I don’t think it’s for them to know,” he reflected on the post-fight emotions. Only those who’ve been there can truly understand. It’s a privileged yet lonely place.
In his words, “To feel something so great but also so deep and frustrating.” The sport is both beautiful and maddening—a paradox every fighter knows well.
Despite the loss, Adesanya acknowledged Imavov’s skill. “He must be excited to beat a guy like me,” he admitted. Yet, hindsight gnaws at him; maybe he should’ve paced himself differently.
A third loss pushes Adesanya further from reclaiming the middleweight title. Yet titles were never his sole pursuit in the UFC. The question now looms: Will he return to fight again?
“I don’t know what’s next,” Adesanya pondered aloud. For now, he’s taking a step back, focusing on helping teammates and figuring out his future path—a forced reflection courtesy of Imavov’s victory.
As for stepping back into the octagon? “Not soon though,” he quipped when asked about a comeback. With his 36th birthday approaching, he’s taking time to ponder his legacy—a legacy already etched into UFC history.