In a stunning turn of events at UFC Saudi Arabia, Israel Adesanya’s comeback tour crumbled under Nassourdine Imavov’s devastating assault. The fight was certainly plagued with tension as Adesanya protested an eye poke, yet chose to continue immediately—a decision that would prove fateful. Moments later, Imavov detonated a thunderous hook that sent the former middleweight champion spiraling to the canvas. This loss marked Adesanya’s third defeat in his last four fights, raising serious questions about his future.

This seismic upset not only dramatically reshapes the 185lbs division but also serves as a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of mixed martial arts, where a single moment can unravel years of carefully constructed reputation. However, former welterweight champion and Izzy’s African compatriot Kamaru Usman has stepped in to defend Adesanya, calling out MMA fans for their harsh criticism.

He emphasized that Adesanya’s legacy and accomplishments should not be overlooked, despite his recent struggles. Speaking on the ‘Pound 4 Pound’ podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman compared Adesanya’s current position to that of MMA legend Anderson Silva, suggesting that Adesanya still has exciting fights ahead. He said, “And for Israel man honestly he’s at a point in his career to where remember Anderson Silva got to this place. Where I’m gonna pick a fun fight it’s a fun fight. That’s a fight that I think is going to be great and people want to see that fight. Cuz Izzy did show that he can still fight.” 

For those unfamiliar, many in the MMA world fear that Adesanya may follow a path similar to that of ‘The Spider’. Once an unstoppable force in the middleweight division, Silva won 16 consecutive fights, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest fighters of all time. However, his downfall was just as dramatic as his rise, with a series of losses marking the later years of his career.

Despite this, the Brazilian remained a fan favorite, taking on rising contenders like Derek Brunson and, in a poetic twist, Adesanya himself. Their fight was seen as a passing of the torch, a moment where the new generation met the old guard in a battle of striking mastery. While the road ahead is uncertain, Usman remains confident that Adesanya has plenty left in the tank. With the right fights and a fresh mindset, ‘The Last Stylebender’ may yet prove his doubters wrong.

The former middleweight champion was confident walking into the fight and said, “I feel, honestly, God forbid if I lose my next 10 fights, it wouldn’t affect my legacy.” Meanwhile, verbose analyst and former fighter Chael Sonnen also reflected upon Adesanya’s setback. Let’s see what he had to say!

Chael Sonnen gives an update about Israel Adesanya’s mindset after his loss

In the UFC, losses are inevitable—even for the greatest fighters. The Octagon is an unforgiving place, where even legends eventually taste defeat. However, what truly defines a fighter is not just their victories, but how they respond to setbacks. Throughout history, some of the sport’s biggest stars have suffered crushing losses, only to rise again. Israel Adesanya is currently facing one of the toughest times of his career and fans will be hoping to see a comeback real soon.

However, it seems ‘Izzy’ is devastated after his third loss inside the Octagon according to Sonnen. The former 185lbs title challenger during his ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’ podcast with Daniel Cormier said, “I watched him after this fight… on the internet, social media, and he is hurt. He is very hurt, as a person.” However, he also took the time to remind the former champion that he has helped the sport grow and needs to keep his head high. Sonnen further added, “And I don’t want him to be. I want him to understand, this has been the cherry on top of the sundae for years now.”

The UFC’s return to Saudi Arabia was supposed to be the perfect stage for Izzy to make a statement. A chance to remind the world exactly who he is. Instead, fans now want him to retire from the sport. What will Israel Adesanya do next in his career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.