Nassourdine Imavov announced his arrival among the Challengers of average elite weights by eliminating a future Hall of Famer of the UFC on Saturday. Imavov entered the octagon as a slight outsider against the former medium weight champion Israel Adesanya, but had to be withdrawn from legend just 30 seconds from the second round.
Adesanya entered the fight after consecutive defeats and three defeats in her four most recent fights. Despite this approximate patch, the former champion fought the first round, pushing several attempts to withdraw while Foring Imavov with kicks and hard blows.
The first frustrations did not seem to bother Imavov when he advanced from the start of the second round before winning a heavy helping hand which sent Adesanya to spread on the web. Imavov did not give Adesanya while he recovered, following punching against the cage and on the ground until the referee is forced to jump to stop the action at 0.30 a.m.
“I feel so well,” said Imavov after the fight. “I said it all week, I was in perfect condition. I proved it tonight. I have proven that I am the best attacker. Now the goal for me is to fight for the belt. “”
This average weight belt of the UFC will be won next Saturday when Dricus du Plessis puts him into play against the man he defeated to become champion, Sean Strickland.
Imavov’s message to these two men was simple.
“I think there is no doubt that I was worth the belt,” said Imavov. “Four victories in a year, the record talks about itself.”
Imavov’s most recent defeat came to Strickland, in a fight that met in the short term and a light heavyweight. He has now won four consecutive fights dating from February 4, 2024.
For Adesanya, the path is much less clear. After spending years as king of the 185 -pound division, he lost three consecutive games and four out of five, with three of these losses came by stop.
CBS Sports has been with you throughout the path on Saturday bringing you all the results and the highlights of the event below.
UFC combat night card, results
- Nassourdine IMAVOV DEF. Israel Adesanya via KO in the second round (Punches)
- Michael “Venom” page def. Sharabutdin Magomedov via a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozstruik via a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Vinicius oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via a unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- FARES ZIAM DEF. Mike Davis via a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)