Israel Adesanya will be in an unfamiliar position at UFC Saudi Arabia.
“The Last Stylebender” will not be competing in a championship match for the first time since February 2019 when he faces Nasouddin Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250. According to the former middleweight champion, that’s only a concern for those on the outside looking in.
“I’m still getting paid,” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel. “There’s still referees. There’s the two of us there. There’s still crowds. I mean, it’s not in the apex or anything like that. Nothing changes. People are going to see how they react to it. I know you’re thinking like that, but that’s not my place. It’s not in my pants.
“Yeah, it’s not like, ‘Oh my god, I have to eat him alive to get into Fight Night.’” This is Fight Night in Saudi Arabia, I thought. I’m still getting paid. ”
Adesanya is coming off a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his professional career. His first match, an upset loss to Sean Strickland to vacate the title, was one of the biggest surprises of 2023. He returned less than a year later at UFC 305, where he suffered a fourth-round submission loss to his opponent. Current 185-pound champion Dorikas du Plessis. Despite the result, the Nigerian-born Kiwi came away relatively satisfied with his performance against his South African rivals.
“I felt really good against Dorikas,” Adesanya said. “I felt strong, but yeah, there was definitely room for improvement and we made those improvements.”
Now, Adesanya will be facing a leading contender in Imavov. The Frenchman has won his last three appearances inside the Octagon and a victory over the former champion could put him on the brink of a title shot. But Adesanya’s main motivation is internal.
“I know he’s dangerous. I know he’s smart. I like his style. Very balanced. … It’s not about him. It’s about me.” said Adesanya. “It’s about improving. I’m writing this chapter. I love the way things are unfolding. It’s about showing what I’m really capable of in all areas of mixed martial arts. You better get up because he’s going to swing at you and rip your head off.”
Adesanya, 35, is one of the best middleweights in UFC history, but fighting brings him joy, especially when he’s competing at a high level.
“Because I can,” he said. “And I’m really, really good at it. I almost forgot how great I was.”
Adesanya has accomplished most of his goals, but there’s at least one item he wants to check off his bucket list before it’s all over.
“I achieved a dream with this match. There are still some dreams I want to achieve, but the main ones are: [achieved]” he said. “I’ll definitely have to submit it. That’s definitely a big thing. I don’t even care about the belt. I want to get someone’s ankle or neck.”
