By Victor Kanayo
Nigerian-born fighter Israel Adesanya has revealed his desire to bounce back from previous back-to-back defeats when he fights again in 2025.
Speaking via social media, the two-time UFC middleweight champion particularly vowed not to make his upcoming fight against Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov personal—a shift from his approach in previous bouts.
Adesanya now aims to rebound from consecutive title fight losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis when he faces the fifth-ranked Imavov on 1 February in Saudi Arabia.
Talking ahead of the fight with Imavov, Adesanya said, “I’ve seen his fights. I know he’s dangerous, slick, and well-rounded. I like his style.”
Nicknamed “The Sniper,” Imavov has suffered only two losses since his UFC debut and will be looking to hand Adesanya a third consecutive defeat—a win that could position him closer to a title shot.
Adesanya, famously known for his animated pre-fight antics, revealed he plans to dial back the personal intensity he believes contributed to his losses against Strickland and Du Plessis.
Adesanya emphasised that there’s no animosity with Imavov, but he’s taking the challenge seriously, acknowledging the Russian-born fighter as a legitimate threat.
