Nassourdine Imavov etched his name into UFC history with a stunning second-round TKO victory over former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia. The bout, which headlined the event, witnessed Imavov deliver a devastating overhand right that sent Adesanya reeling. As the former champion attempted to recover, Imavov capitalized with a swift left hook, dropping Adesanya to the canvas for the second time. A brief flurry of ground-and-pound strikes prompted referee Marc Goddard to intervene and halt the contest, awarding Imavov the monumental upset victory and a performance bonus. This triumph catapulted Imavov into the upper echelon of the middleweight division, positioning him as a potential future title contender.
The defeat marked Adesanya’s third consecutive loss, raising questions about the future of his illustrious career. While he didn’t announce his retirement in the immediate aftermath of the fight, the possibility of him stepping away from the sport looms large. Adesanya’s legacy, however, remains firmly cemented. He stands as one of only three fighters to have held and defended the UFC middleweight title three or more times, a testament to his dominance during his reign. His victory over Alex Pereira, a feat unmatched by any other UFC fighter, further solidifies his place among the division’s elite. Regardless of his future decision, Adesanya’s accomplishments warrant his induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Imavov’s victory inserts him into the title contention picture, placing him behind Khamzat Chimaev in the queue for a shot at the middleweight crown. The upcoming UFC 312 event in Australia will feature a title clash between reigning champion Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland. The victor of this bout is expected to face Chimaev next, setting the stage for a potential Imavov title opportunity later in 2025, should everything proceed as anticipated.
The co-main event showcased Michael “Venom” Page’s striking prowess as he delivered a dominant performance against Shara Magomedov. Page controlled the fight from bell to bell, utilizing his speed, precision, and fluid movement to neutralize Magomedov’s attempts to engage. The unanimous decision victory, reflected in the judges’ scorecards (30-27×2, 29-28), cemented Page’s status as a force to be reckoned with in the welterweight division. His post-fight appropriation of a line from the movie “Captain Phillips” further underscored his confidence and control, signifying his arrival as a leading figure in the division.
The UFC Saudi Arabia card featured a collection of exciting matchups and finishes. Sergei Pavlovich secured a unanimous decision victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik in a heavyweight clash, while Vinicius Oliveira and Said Nurmagomedov engaged in a thrilling battle that earned them “Fight of the Night” honors, with Oliveira emerging victorious via unanimous decision. Fares Ziam also claimed a unanimous decision win against Mike Davis.
The preliminary card delivered its share of memorable moments. Shamil Gaziev scored a highlight-reel knockout victory over Thomas Petersen, landing a thunderous right hand that sent Petersen crashing to the canvas. The swift and decisive nature of the finish propelled Gaziev up the rankings, setting the stage for a potential matchup against a top-ten opponent. Terrance McKinney continued his streak of impressive finishes, securing a first-round TKO victory over Damir Hadžović via ground-and-pound. Bogdan Grad earned a performance bonus for his TKO win over Lucas Alexander, who missed weight for the second consecutive fight, jeopardizing his future with the promotion. Other preliminary card results included Jasmine Jasudavicius’ unanimous decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva and a split decision victory for Hamdy Abdelwahab against Jamal Pogues. Muhammad Naimov opened the card with a unanimous decision win over Kaan Ofli.
