- The loss against Nassourdine Imavov is the third consecutive defeat of Adesanya
- The last victory for 'The Last Stylebender' returned in April 2023
Israel Adesanya fell to his third consecutive defeat in the octagon when Nassourdine Imavov of UFC knockedly in UFC Fight Night Arabia on Saturday night after leaving fans stunned moments before the blow that ended the fight.
'The Last Stylebender' had won the first round against his French opponent in the main event on the card, but complained that he had been pushed in the eye just after the beginning of the second.
The state fighters of the UFC rules that are pushed in the eye can give time to recover and the referee indicated a waiting time as soon as Adesanya complained, but the fighter based in New Zealand did not take advantage and indicated that he wanted me to The fight will continue before being left by a huge right hand about five seconds later.
The outstanding UFC reporter, Ariel Helwani, was among the viewers amazed by the result.
'Wow. Imavov Tkos Adesanya in the second. But not without some controversy. Izzy was attacked, he told Goddard (referee) that he was fine and did not take any time, 10 seconds later they leave him leave a right and lose, “he wrote.
'Izzy should probably have taken a second to regroup after Poke. But it was his call to move on. You have to live with that.
Israel Adesanya (left) was abandoned by a huge right hand of Nassourdine Imavov (right) at UFC Fight Night Arabia Saudi
In the photo: the referee moves to shake the fight with Adesanya unable to defend himself
It was the third consecutive defeat for the former world champion of medium weight after he lost a unanimous decision of shock by Sean Strickland in UFC 293, followed by being sent by Face Crank by Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305.
The last victory of the 35 -year -old was a most prominent knockout of Alex Pereira in UFC 287 in April 2023, and now fans and experts are questioning his future in the fighting game.
“I don't know (what follows),” said Adesanya after the loss.
“I will have to relax and think about things … I was going to do that anyway, but now I am forced to do it, so I shout Nassourdine for that.”
He later published a video in X showing him watching the fight for the first time, accompanied by the subtitle, “as real as it turns.” He rolled the dice … snake eyes. I will go back, I will go looking for milk.
In the images you see Adesanya saying: 'ahh … fair game, just', after seeing the blow that ended his night, before laughing at Imavov's celebration.
'I'm still alive. This is how the game is going, 'he tells his followers.
While some fans of the fights were put online to affirm that Adesanya was the victim of an early strike, many questioned if he is still able to compete with the best mixed martial artists on the planet.
The former World Medium Weight (Right) champion based in New Zealand surprised fans and experts when he rejected the offer of a waiting time to recover from mine
'I love @stylebender and the last fights have been really difficult to see … Maybe the fire has burned? Is it time to hang them? One wrote.
“I did his job, I hate seeing him finish like this,” said another.
'2 Time champion. Multiple defenses. Multiple fights of all time. He overcame his greatest enemy dramatically. Legend and first ballot of fame, but his time has passed, 'said a third.
Currently, Adesanya has a professional record of 24 wins and five losses after starting his career in sport in March 2012.
His first defeat, a unanimous decision to Jan Blachowicz, did not reach UFC 259 in March 2021 and was twice world champion of medium weight.
The star born in Nigeria also stood out as Kickboxer before changing to mixed martial arts.