In the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, Nassourdine Imavov shocked fans as he knocked out Israel Adesanya in the second round. The moment truly stunned many, as the knockout win got him closer to the title picture and proved why underdog stories can be some of the best in MMA. From being called an easy challenge for ‘The Last Stylebender’ to defeating the #2 ranked fighter, the Russian-French answered all his critics.

However, for Israel Adesanya, his recent run has been no less than a nightmare. With four losses in his last five fights, it seems like that would be the end of his race for the title. But seeing that he is 35, he still has a little left in the tank. So, who will he fight next to earn back the trust of the UFC? Let’s find out!

Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya has had his eye on Khamzat Chimaev since 2023. On Logan Paul’s ‘IMPAULSIVE’ podcast, ‘The Last Stylebender’ teased a potential battle with ‘Borz’ at UFC middleweight when he was the division’s kingpin. It should be noted that Chimaev often mocks ‘The Last Stylebender,’ claiming that the rival has company privileges, and if he ever got the chance, he would finish him real quick.

However, back then, he believed that the UFC did not schedule the duel because it didn’t want Israel Adesanya to lose the belt. But now that the two are in the same division and Adesanya is in need of a major fight without a belt around his waist, what better than to go one-on-one against ‘Borz.’? This is an idea that would definitely enter the mind of Dana White, who can pit a match between #2-ranked ‘Izzy’ and #3-ranked Khamzat Chimaev.

Marvin Vettori

After making history by becoming the first Italian-born athlete to star in and win a UFC main event, Marvin Vettori promised to achieve an even greater feat: winning the organization’s middleweight belt. However, the 31-year-old lost his momentum and has been on a forgettable run in the UFC. With three wins and three losses in his last six fights, ‘The Italian Dream’ now needs a big win to climb up the ranks of his division to get into the title picture.

As #5 ranked Nassourdine Imavov stunned many by knocking out Israel Adesanya and will possibly climb up the ranking in the middleweight class now, Vettori too needs such a major win. So, who better than Israel Adesanya for a one-on-one that will help him move up from the #7 spot? In fact, he even asked the former middleweight champion for a fight right after ‘Izzy’ lost to Imavov. Taking to his X account, he wrote, “Only chance for adesanya to win a fight is to fight me lol.”

If Adesanya accepts the fight, it will give Vettori the perfect opportunity for revenge, as, in their last duel in April 2018, he was beaten precisely by ‘Izzy.’. However, the judges’ split decision win was the closest the Nigerian came to seeing the losing column open in his impeccable professional MMA card back then. So, ‘The Italian Dream’ would now want to make things right this time around by getting a win over the former middleweight champion.

The losing fighter of the Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis fight

The UFC’s return to Sydney will feature a rematch for the middleweight title between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland. Not only are MMA fans excited to watch the fight, but Israel Adesanya as well. In the main event of UFC 312, ‘DDP’ defends his divisional title for the second time. The South African was crowned at the start of 2023 after a controversial split decision against ‘Tarzan.’.

But now that we will hopefully get a non-controversial result, Israel Adesanya would most likely get to fight the eventual loser of the bout. Since he has most possibly lost the trust of Dana White to get into the title picture for now, ‘The Last Stylebender’ will have to climb his way up again, and a fight against either Sean Strickland or Dricus Du Plessis will help him earn back the credibility he lost at UFC Saudi Arabia. But what do you think? Should ‘Izzy’ go against someone ranked higher than him, especially after he lost to a man ranked much lower? Let us know in the comments.