Nassourdine Imavov celebrates after defeating Israel Adesanya in their men's middleweight fight during the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night 250 in Riyadh on 1 February 2025. Photo: FAYEZ NURELDINE
A picture perfect right cross has seen the downfall of Israel Adesanya continue.
The Kiwi mixed martial artist was finished in emphatic fashion at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Just thirty seconds into the second round, Imavov cracked Adesanya on the chin, and then followed up with a clean left uppercut and a barrage on the ground to decisively finish the former champion.
Adesanya appeared to have taken a glancing blow to the groin and temporarily paused, before waving off the referee.
Immediately after the resumption, 'the Sniper' fired his shot and in an instant, one of the greatest UFC careers may well be over.
It was a closely fought first round, as the two traded low kicks to start things off before Imavov shot for a takedown which was expertly stuffed by Adesanya.
The former middleweight king, fighting in his first non-title bout in six years, found some success from the outside, using his significant reach advantage to land some crisp jabs.
A couple of nice knees in the clinch and 'The Last Stylebender' may have done enough to earn the first five minutes on the cards.
However, it was academic after the Russian-born Frenchman bided his time, and found the opening to send Adesanya crashing to the canvas.
Imavov said in his post-fight interview that he is now deserving of a title shot having dispatched the New Zealand legend.
He will now await the result of the middleweight championship fight between champion Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland in Sydney at UFC 312 next weekend.
For Adesanya, this likely spells the end of any hope of another run at the gold, and may see the future Hall fo Famer hang up his gloves and leave a legacy which few will come close to replicating.
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