UFC Saudi Arabia concluded with Nassourdine Imavov‘s victory over Israel Adesanya, raising questions about Adesanya’s future and potential retirement, while discussions also covered Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s title shot prospects, matchmaking possibilities for Adesanya, the state of women’s MMA divisions, and other UFC-related topics.
UFC Saudi Arabia is in the books. Now, it’s on to UFC 312.
This past Saturday, Nassourdine Imavov scored the biggest win of his career by knocking out former two-time champion Israel Adesanya in the second round. Imavov seems poised to fight for the 185 belt sooner rather than later. So, what will become of “The Last Stylebender?” Let’s dive into that and more from this week’s mailbag.
Israel Adesanya
“What is the next best move for Izzy, and do fighters risk damaging their legacy by remaining active past their prime?”
Heading into UFC Saudi Arabia, my biggest question was how much Adesanya has left in the tank. I think we got our answer. Adesanya is an all-time great, but he’s 35, been competing for 15 years, and has 115 professional fights. That’s a lot of mileage, and it’s showing. His reflexes aren’t as fast as they once were, so he’s getting hit more often and can’t take damage the same way. There’s a reason he’s been dropped or hurt in his past five fights: Izzy is aging out.
With that in mind, I personally believe the best move would be for him to either retire or set up a retirement fight. Something he should win to go out on a high note before waiting for his Hall of Fame jacket. However, I doubt that happens. Assuming it doesn’t, I think the right move for Adesanya is a big step back in competition. He can still win fights but is unlikely to beat up-and-comers or Top 10 opposition. If I were in Izzy’s corner, I’d target fights against other declining warriors with big names.
As far as damaging his legacy goes, the answer is both yes and no. What Adesanya has accomplished can never be taken away from him. He’s the second-greatest middleweight ever and a Top 20 all-time fighter. No amount of losing will change that; only other fighters surpassing him will. But that’s only true for longstanding fans. Newer fans rarely judge fighters based on their peaks but on their entire career. That’s why fighters like Anderson Silva and B.J. Penn are often left out of GOAT conversations—they hung around long enough to lose a lot, dulling the mystique.
For those who know, Adesanya sticking around won’t matter much, but for those who don’t? It probably will.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page
Do you think MVP could sneak into a title shot at WW or MW with one more win? With the right matchmaking, especially at MW, I think he could stifle another striker in the top ten and use his limited star power to put his name into the conversation.
— Nicholas Bennett (@Nichola86732970)
“Do you think MVP could sneak into a title shot at WW or MW with one more win?”
In Saturday’s co-main event, “MVP” pulled off a small upset, getting himself into the middleweight rankings by doing classic MVP stuff to Shara Bullet. It was a vintage performance worth celebrating—but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This win didn’t make MVP a title threat at either weight class. It was just a good win over an opponent who had no real answers to Page’s style.
The issue for MVP is that he’s nowhere near a title fight—much less one win away from it. At middleweight, there’s currently a backlog of contenders; Page would need several wins—and that’s unlikely—and at welterweight? Same story. Page is never going to fight for a UFC title—and that’s fine! MMA isn’t just about titles; you can have a long career by being good at fighting and making people care about you—and Page excels at that.
Matchmaking
How fast will Dana attempt to book MVP vs Adesanya and would Izzy even accept it?
— Florida Man Chael (@FLManChael)
“How fast will Dana attempt to book MVP vs Adesanya and would Izzy even accept it?”
My guess? Dana White doesn’t try to book this—but honestly? This is exactly the fight Adesanya should be trying to get. Page is a big name; their fight would draw interest—and Adesanya would have a good chance to win this one. Page’s game is pretty set: looking for explosive shots. While Adesanya has fallen off some, he can still set range, chew up Page’s leg with low kicks, and win. This should be a favorable style matchup for Adesanya—so if I’m Izzy wanting to keep going? This is the call.
Heavyweight
How many of the current UFC Heavyweight Top 10 could Tom Aspinall defeat at once?
— Lil Uzi Kluivert (@stricklandspf)
“How many of the current UFC Heavyweight Top 10 could Tom Aspinall defeat at once?”
In Saturday’s feature bout, Sergei Pavlovich won a dreadfully boring decision over Jairzinho Rozenstruik—who the UFC then released! This weight class? A wasteland.
Because it’s heavyweight—Aspinall couldn’t beat even two of the Top 10 at once—it’s just too hard! But if he did king-of-the-hill style where it’s one at a time? There’s legit chance Aspinall clears entire heavyweight Top 15—in one night!
Zhang Weili vs. Tatiana Suarez
Zhang vs Suarez should be good fight—but neither fighter nearly active enough! Understand Suarez with injuries—I guess—but Zhang fights once/year! How do you see future div playing out post-312?@MikeHeck_JR
— UrMomsMMA (@JodyJoe421) February 3, 2025
“Zhang vs Suarez should be good fight—but neither fighter nearly active enough!”
There’s case made Zhang’s lack activity good thing because top 15 strawweight same people five years ago—which means if she was active we’d firmly be “boring rematches” zone women bantamweight finds itself in! Instead Zhang infrequent defenses least coming new names bringing freshness situation.
That said—I’m concerned lack growth women MMA UFC always tall order find another Ronda Rousey—not sure UFC even Joanna Jedrzejczyk terms star power! Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t have much longer Zhang respected never broke out US both straw bantam floundering new talent not sure fix things not best 115!
The lesser Topuria
Jed… do you feel UFC put Topuria vs Thicknesse main card because now third most interesting fight slate?
— Mike Heck (@MikeHeck_JR) February 3, 2025
“Jed… do you feel UFC put Topuria vs Thicknesse main card because now third most interesting fight slate?”
Aleksandre Topuria brother feather champ Ilia Topuria makes UFC debut Saturday against Colby Thicknesse supposed face Cody Haddon late notice change left considerably cooler less known name (speaking actual name not fighter Colby Thickness great name).
Anyway UFC hundred percent should move this fight main card outside two title fights UFC 312 worst cards promotion put together years no big names few compelling matchups Topuria least related somebody great honestly makes better bouts weekend.
Royal Rumble
Which UFC fighter booked appearance Royal Rumble?
— Taylor (@2845828472a) February 3, 2025
“Which UFC fighter booked appearance Royal Rumble?”
I’ll preface saying don’t watch professional wrestling briefly enjoyed idea child never followed passingly until started working MMA intertwined impossible learned things still woefully unschooled basically anything WWE .
That said watched Royal Rumble year working MMA fighter showed needed write three major thoughts :
- Definitely thought John Cena going win idea Jey Uso swerved thought neat
- Know scripted iShowSpeed might actually got hurt yeesh .
- Pro wrestling isn ‘ t fun concept
< / ol >Impossible anything like MMA god love Dogfight Wild Tournament tried someone ever good sense hire head creative promotion promise try countdown thing exciting fun .
Anyway based limited understanding pro wrestling appears jacked athletic charisma choice Dricus du Plessis man almost feels pro wrestler already NO ONE seen coming defending title Australia Saturday .
Swerve century .
Thanks reading thanks everyone sent tweets ( Xs ? ) burning questions somewhat related combat sports luck send tweets me , < A href =" https : // twitter . com / JedKMeshew " > @ JedKMeshew < / A > , answer favorite ones ! Doesn ‘ t matter topical insane long good . Thanks again , see y ‘ all next week .
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