Nassourdine Imavov is preparing for what could be the defining moment of his career as he takes on Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia. For Adesanya, this fight marks a significant shift—it will be his first non-title bout in nearly six years and his first appearance on a non-numbered UFC card since headlining the TUF 27 finale in 2018.

The stakes are high for both fighters, but there is a lot of pressure on the former middleweight champion. Adesanya’s recent run of form inside the Octagon has been nowhere close to his best. Despite his last two losses ‘The Last Stylebender’ is walking into the fight high on confidence.

Israel Adesanya still believes he can beat anyone in the division on his day

Israel Adesanya may have lost his middleweight title and missed the chance to reclaim it, but his legacy as one of the greatest middleweights of all time remains intact. As the only fighter in the division’s history to capture the 185-pound belt twice, Adesanya has cemented his place among the sport’s elite. Despite being 35 and entering the later stages of his career, Adesanya insists he’s still evolving. According to him, each passing day brings new adjustments and growth as he continues to refine his craft, proving there’s always room to improve—even at the top.

For the first time in his MMA career, Israel Adesanya is fighting to prove that he is far from finished in the division. While the possibility of another loss in Saudi Arabia looms, the former two-time champion isn’t fazed. Adesanya approaches every fight with the same mindset, treating each one as just another opportunity to showcase his skills. The former champion has always been known for his self-confidence and believes he can get back to winning ways again.

He recently took to his YouTube channel to give a glimpse of his intense training schedule. It seems the former champion is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation and is ready for the battle. He also shared his honest opinion about the fight and feels people might just taking him a bit lightly after his recent losses.

He said, “Fighting him and beating him would be a way of just saying like, ‘Yeah, you can’t count me out. No matter what I can still take any of the top guys in this game at any time’.” Despite his recent setbacks, Adesanya remains resolute and is preparing for a big comeback in 2025.

The matchup has quickly captured the attention of fans, sparking intense discussions among fighters and analysts alike about how the fight will unfold. With both fighters bringing a lot to the table, the anticipation surrounding this clash continues to grow. One of the most captivating insights comes from Robert Whittaker, the former middleweight kingpin and the current training partner of Adesanya. Let’s dive into what he had to say!

Robert Whittaker picks his favorite between Adesanya and Imavov’s fight

Robert Whittaker recently weighed in on the much-anticipated showdown between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov, offering a balanced analysis that favored Adesanya while also recognizing the threat Imavov poses. On the MMArcade podcast, Whittaker explained why he believes Adesanya holds the advantage, but also pointed out the key areas where the Dagestani-Frenchman could cause an upset and challenge the former champion’s dominance. Whittaker, who has faced Adesanya twice feels the former champion can come out on top.

He 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 recognized that Imavov has the tools to throw off Adesanya’s rhythm, but emphasized that Adesanya’s sharp precision and counter-striking skills make him a tough opponent to figure out.

While Nassourdine Imavov may present some challenges, ‘Izzy’ remains unfazed. The former champion isn’t just focused on this fight—he’s already looking ahead, planning his next big move in the Octagon.

Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.