In a significant upset, Nassourdine Imavov defeated former UFC champion Israel Adesanya via a sensational second-round knockout.
This victory propels Imavov into the title picture, just ahead of next week’s highly anticipated showdown between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
Imavov, nicknamed “The Sniper,” lived up to his moniker by landing a precise and lightning-fast right-hand punch early in the second round.
This strike marked the beginning of the end for Adesanya, who was competing in a non-title fight for the first time since February 2019.
Adesanya, also known as “Stylebender,” had been seeking to reignite his championship aspirations. The Nigerian-born New Zealander had previously held the title for several years but had lost three of his last four attempts to reclaim it.
His recent defeats included a loss to Alex Pereira in November 2022, a points decision to Sean Strickland, and a submission defeat to Dricus Du Plessis in August 2024.
Initially, Adesanya started strongly, landing heavy kicks on Imavov’s body and utilizing feints to draw out his opponent.
However, the tide of the fight shifted dramatically when Imavov connected with a thunderous overhand right, followed by a vicious left uppercut that sent Adesanya stumbling to the canvas.
Imavov’s impressive victory marks his fourth consecutive win in 2024, cementing his position as a formidable contender in the division.
