Fans have reacted to Israel Adesanya’s sparring for his fight against Nassourdine Imavov.
Adesanya faces Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia on February 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He enters the fight with a loss against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. It was his second defeat in a row, the first time in his career, as he missed out on the UFC Middleweight Title. Adesanya lost to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in the fight before.
Imavov is number seven in the middleweight rankings. He beat Brendan Allen at UFC Paris in his last fight. That was his third win in a row after victories against Jared Cannonier and Roman Dolidze. The fight is crucial for Adesanya if he still desires to secure a title shot. The video footage shows him being backed up before he is taken to the ground, resulting in a strong reaction.
New Israel Adesanya sparring footage surfaces ahead of his fight against Nassourdine Imavov 👀
🎥 IG / tibetanmma #UFCSaudiArabia #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/sVURPYt2DA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 18, 2024
Reaction
He’s gonna get smoked. End of an era
Time for Usman, Volk and Izzy to retire. 😭🖤
— Youiox (@Youi0x) December 18, 2024
Why does he keep thinking turning his back his good takedown defense. Did he not learn shit from the DDP fight. 😭
— 𝖘𝖍𝖆𝖜𝖓 (@shawnsafk) December 19, 2024
I feel like he’s gotta start throwing with some more power to try and take someone’s head off
— Bill Mueller (@BillMuellerMMA) December 18, 2024