Israel Adesanya is set to compete on a non-PPV UFC card for the first time in six years, marking a significant shift in his career trajectory. The former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion lost his title to Sean Strickland in September last year. His attempt to reclaim the 185-pound belt was thwarted at UFC 305 in August when he fell short against Dricus Du Plessis.

Despite these setbacks, Adesanya remains steadfast and is gearing up for a 2025 return against the #5-ranked Nassourdine Imavov. The matchup has generated significant buzz, sparking debate among fighters and analysts about the outcome of this highly anticipated fight. One of the most intriguing takes comes from former 185lbs kingpin Robert Whittaker, a former rival of Adesanya. Let’s see what Bobby Knuckles had to say!

Robert Whittaker makes his pick between Adesanya and Imavov

Robert Whittaker recently shared his thoughts on the highly anticipated Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov fight, offering a well-rounded breakdown that leaned in favor of Adesanya while acknowledging Imavov’s formidable skills. Speaking to MMArcade, Whittaker highlighted why he believes Adesanya has the edge but also explained how the Frenchman could potentially upset the former champion.

Whittaker, who has faced Adesanya twice and also fought Dricus Du Plessis, drew comparisons between Imavov and Du Plessis, noting their ability to capitalize on pressure situations. Reflecting on his own experience with Du Plessis, Whittaker said: “I’d have to lean into Izzy being the favorite. He’s so good at what he does. But Imavov’s a bit of a dog—he can go the distance. His striking is good, and I can see him pushing the pace, pushing the pressure to try to make Adesanya make errors, much like how Dricus [Du Plessis] fought him.”

Whittaker also delved deeper into Dricus Du Plessis’ fighting style, offering insights into how it could serve as a blueprint for Imavov to challenge Adesanya. Comparing the two fighters, Whittaker remarked,

“I can’t say better standup because Dricus’ standup, legs right—it’s just a different type of standup, a different approach. Is Imavov as tanky as Dricus? Because I think Dricus made a really good blueprint on how to beat Adesanya—make him uncomfortable. I think Imavov’s got the skill set to do that, but I’d still lean on Izzy being the favorite. He can fight that counter style so well, and if you don’t fall into his baits, into his traps, he’ll pick you apart.”

Whittaker acknowledged Imavov’s ability to disrupt Adesanya’s rhythm but reiterated that Adesanya’s precision and counter-striking make him a difficult puzzle to solve. Despite the challenges Imavov may present, Adesanya appears unfazed. The former champion is not only focused on this fight but also looking ahead to his next big move. Reports suggest Adesanya has his eyes set on a blockbuster bout with Khamzat Chimaev, a matchup that could electrify the MMA world.

Israel Adesanya aims to face Khamzat Chimaev in the near future 

If Israel Adesanya secures a victory over Nassourdine Imavov in February, he could very well earn a shot at the No. 1 contender’s spot, potentially setting up a high-stakes showdown with Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev, who decisively defeated Robert Whittaker this past October has re-established his feverish hype. Izzy expressed his thoughts on the matchup during a recent YouTube video, acknowledging the anticipation surrounding the potential fight.

He shared, “I knew they were going to go with this fight because I knew it was coming. They have already organized this so I wasn’t like, ‘Oh, what?’ I was surprised by the way Khamzat ran through Rob—that was crazy. That was like, wow, that made me want to fight him. I was like, okay, s**t, this guy’s good.”

After competing only four times in the last two years, Chimaev has revamped his training routine and returned stronger, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. On the other hand, Adesanya has made it clear that he is focused on improving, particularly his wrestling game, following his loss to Sean Strickland.

In a display of sportsmanship, Chimaev also offered his respect for Adesanya, speaking highly of his skills. During an interview with Daniel Cormier, Chimaev said, “Izzy is a better fighter than Du Plessis, I think. Yeah, they fought [and Izzy lost] but, as a fighter, you have to ask, how much are you hungry? How much do you want it? These things are what determine if you can be a bad fighter. And some guy can beat you up for four rounds, and last round, because you’re hard, you win the fight. So, that’s the thing he doesn’t have anymore. But he is a good fighter. I think he’s much better than Du Plessis.”

So, with both fighters poised for potential clashes, the question remains: Will Adesanya get the fight he wants? Can he emerge victorious against Imavov and earn his shot at Chimaev? What do you think?  Share your thoughts below!