Nassourdine Imavov announced himself as a legitimate threat to the division’s best as the middleweight contender finished former two-time champion Israel Adesanya in Riyadh.
Imavov faced Adesanya in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia in a bout that had him listed as the betting underdog. But “The Sniper” made light of those odds as he dropped, then finished, Adesanya in a blistering display that served notice to the rest of the middleweight division.
Imavov’s knockout of Adesanya gave him his 16th career victory, and put him in the frame to potentially face the winner of the upcoming title fight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and former champ Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney next weekend, though rival contender Khamzat Chimaev may have something to say about that.
“I feel so good,” he said after his win.
“I said it all week long, that I was in perfect shape. I proved it tonight. I proved I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be to fight for the belt.
“I promised you something tonight. I promised you a special surprise. That was the surprise.”
But, after claiming a marquee victory, the Frenchman’s sole focus now is to get himself a shot at the undisputed 185-pound title, and he believes that win over Adesanya should be good enough to get one.
“I think there is no doubt I am worth the belt,” he said.
“Four victories in one year. Two top five, two top 10, two finishes. The record speaks for itself.”
In the co-main event, England’s Michael “Venom” Page jumped up to middleweight and outclassed No. 15-ranked contender Shara “Bullet” Magomedov to hand the Russian contender the first defeat of his career.
Page comprehensively picked apart Magomedov over the three-round duration to earn scores of 30-27, 20-27, 29-28 from the cageside judges and claimed the 23rd win of his career.
“I wanted to mix it up. Shara Bullet is an amazing MMA fighter. Regardless of this result, he’s going to go on and do some amazing things,” said Page after his win.
“One thing I knew coming up, my body’s not going to be used to this just yet. I felt a little bit during this fight. So I need to practice a bit more at this weight.
“But, for now, I’ve got some work to do at 170. Guys, make sure you’re watching, because I’m coming.”
UFC Saudi Arabia: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:30
- Michael Page def. Shara Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen via TKO (punch) – Round 1, 3:12
- Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:01
- Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander via TKO (elbows and punches) – Round 2, 4:22
- Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
