Israel Adesanya News
Francis Ngannou sends warm wishes to Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou has wished Israel Adesanya the best ahead of his return to the cage on Saturday. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will make his return to the cage. He’ll do so by taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. For ‘Stylebender’, this serves as a real opportunity for him to prove that he can still mix it up with the best middleweights in the world. On the flip side, Nassourdine Imavov has an opportunity to make a name for himself against a former two-time world champion.
Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
In the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -164 favorite while the Frenchman is a +128 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. Ultimately, the pros believe Adesanya will get a win over Imavov, as most of the fighters interviewed believe Izzy’s striking will be the difference. They also believe the former champ’s cardio over five rounds will help him edge out a win.
Nassourdine Imavov dismisses notion that Israel Adesanya is past his prime: 'I don't think he's getting older'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2025
Nassourdine Imavov doesn’t believe Israel Adesanya has lost a step. Imavov and Adesanya are scheduled to collide in the main event of a UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night card this Saturday. Going into the fight, many are wondering if “The Last Stylebender” has fallen out of the elite tier at 185 pounds. Some have gone as far as to say the former two-time UFC middleweight champion is entering gatekeeper status.
Israel Adesanya eager to "throw hands" with "dangerous" Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2025
Israel Adesanya is expecting a striking match against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Adesanya is set to headline the Fight Night event in his first non-title fight in 2019 when he fought Anderson Silva. The former middleweight champion is coming off a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis after losing his belt to Sean Strickland by decision.
UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Adesanya vs. Imavov’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - January 28, 2025
UFC Saudi Arabia is right around the corner as fans await the return of the legend that is Israel Adesanya. Event: UFC Saudi Arabia: Adesanya vs Imavov Date: Saturday, 1st February 2025 Location: anb Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (12pm EST main card)
Robert Whittaker reveals biggest threat Israel Adesanya faces against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 27, 2025
Robert Whittaker believes he knows the biggest challenge that lies ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia for Israel Adesanya. Whittaker and Adesanya have become quite chummy recently. The two now train together, and “The Reaper” helped “The Last Stylebender” prepare for Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya and Imavov will collide this Saturday in the main event of a UFC Saudi Arabia card.
Michael Bisping predicts UFC Saudi Arabia headliner between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 27, 2025
Michael Bisping has made his prediction for the UFC Saudi Arabia main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya hasn’t won a bout since April 2023 and he’s hoping to return to the win column this Saturday. It’ll be his first non-title bout since 2019. For Imavov, it’s a massive opportunity to score the biggest win of his pro MMA career.
Dan Hooker discusses his friendship with Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - January 27, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has discussed his close friendship with Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia this weekend. For Israel Adesanya, his mixed martial arts legacy has already been cemented in the eyes of many. He’s an incredible competitor who has won multiple world titles, and he’ll go down in history as one of the best middleweights in UFC history. In addition to that, he’s also been part of City Kickboxing, one of the best teams in MMA, for a long time.
Robert Whittaker opens up on former feud with Israel Adesanya: "If I could've hit him with a car I would have"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has buried the hatchet with Israel Adesanya. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ famously have had two clashes for UFC gold. They first met in late 2019, in Robert Whittaker’s first title defense. Over a year after going to war with Yoel Romero for five rounds, the champion met interim champion, Israel Adesanya. In Whittaker’s absence, he scored a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum to claim interim gold.
UFC legends Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya train together
Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025
UFC icons Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya trained together recently, for what seems to be the first time ever. As we know, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker are two of the greatest middleweights of all time. Some may view that as an overstatement, but it really isn’t. Whittaker is a former champion and has been able to run through many of the other top middleweights of his generation. Adesanya, meanwhile, is one of the best champions of his era, and is a two-time title holder at 185 pounds.
Caio Borralho shares theory on why he isn't fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2024
Caio Borralho wanted to share the Octagon with Israel Adesanya in early 2025, but he thinks he knows why that will have to wait. Adesanya will be taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia. The bout will be taking place on February 1st. It’ll be Adesanya’s first fight off pay-per-view since 2018.
Israel Adesanya plans to remind fans of his greatness in UFC Saudi Arabia return: "Y'all must've forgot"
Josh Evanoff - December 26, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to remind fans how good he is. ‘The Last Stylebender’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a grudge match against Dricus du Plessis in August. In the main event of UFC 305, the two middleweights went back and forth in the first three rounds. However, in round four, ‘Stillknocks’ rocked, and quickly submitted Israel Adesanya to retain middleweight gold.
Two huge fights announced for UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2024
Two huge fights have been announced for UFC Saudi Arabia – including one involving former champion Israel Adesanya. For the UFC, 2025 is going to be a big year – as is the case for most years with the mixed martial arts leader. There are emerging contenders, interesting veterans and top champions littered throughout every division. In addition to a few blockbuster pay-per-view events to kickstart the year, they’ll also be returning to Saudi Arabia on February 1.
Israel Adesanya looks back on traffic altercation with overzealous fight fan: 'You’re f*cking stupid'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 28, 2024
Israel Adesanya has reflected on an incident that saw one overzealous fan try to play tough guy. A September road rage incident was filmed and it showed “The Last Stylebender” in a heated confrontation with an unnamed man in Auckland. At one point, Adesanya even spat in the man’s direction, and it was clear the former UFC middleweight champion was ready to take the traffic altercation to another level.
Israel Adesanya opens up on future UFC retirement: "I don't want to be fighting at 40"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has opened up on his retirement plans. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is in a bit of a weird spot at the moment. Israel Adesanya was last seen in the cage at UFC 305 in August, facing middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The bout was the former champion’s first, since suffering a shocking decision loss to Sean Strickland last August. In Adesanya’s absence, ‘Stillknocks’ won the gold.
Israel Adesanya defends Jon Jones following UFC 309 knockout win: "He's given enough"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has praised Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 309 over the weekend in New York City. Back for the first time since submitting Ciryl Gane last March, Jon Jones faced Stipe Miocic. For his part, the 42-year-old former heavyweight champion hadn’t been seen in the cage since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2021.
Israel Adesanya predicts Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic ends 'In two rounds'
Curtis Calhoun - November 13, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya doesn’t believe the heavyweight main event between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic on Saturday will last long. Jones will make his long-awaited first heavyweight title defense against Miocic at UFC 309. It’s his second heavyweight appearance after winning the then-vacant belt over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last year.
Israel Adesanya responds to UFC 308 callout from Shara Magomedov: “Keep my name out your f**king mouth”
Harry Kettle - October 28, 2024
UFC star Israel Adesanya has responded to being called out by Shara Magomedov at UFC 308 this past weekend. As we know, Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts. Some have disputed that this is still the case after two straight losses, but ‘Stylebender’ is still an incredibly popular figure within the sport. Now, it’s just a case of building himself back up at middleweight in an attempt to regain the throne.