UFC Saudi Arabia: Israel Adesanya stunned by huge Nassourdine Imavov knockout in Riyadh, Michael Venom Page wins
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Updated 01/02/2025 at 20:58 GMT
Israel Adesenya was on the receiving end of a chastening TKO loss at UFC Saudi Arabia. With Cristiano Ronaldo watching on, Nassourdine Imavov upset the middleweight apple-cart in some style. There was also a fine victory for Britain's Michael 'Venom' Page who secured a decision victory over Sharabutdin Magomedov and later warned his rivals to watch out for him.
Adesanya
Image credit: Getty Images
Israel Adesanya’s hopes of returning to the UFC middleweight title picture ended with him being knocked out in two rounds by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia.
After a close first round, which the Frenchman may have just edged, the second only lasted 30 seconds, with a huge right hand sending Adesanya crashing back into the fence and a follow-up left ending any chance the two-time champion had of recovering.
Afterwards, Imavov insisted he should be given a title shot next and he may well now fight the victor of next week’s contest between middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland at UFC 312 in Sydney.
"The real reward for me will be to fight for the belt next," Imavov said on TNT Sports.
"There is no doubt I am worth the belts. Four victories in one year, two top-fives, two top-10s and two stoppages."
Earlier in the co-main event, Michael ‘Venom’ Page secured a fantastic victory, outpointing the previously unbeaten Sharabutdin Magomedov.
Going up in weight from welterweight, MVP produced the best performance of his UFC career to date, showing all his veteran wares to take advantage of his reach and movement to baffle Magomedov, who had cut a swathe through his opposition previously winning 12 of his first 15 fights by knockout.
Against Page, he did not even land a strike in the first half of the contest, as the Londoner comfortably took the first two rounds moving in and out of range to land jabs and straight rights, as well as kicks.
The third was a closer affair, but Page still took the round on two of the three judges’ scorecards to ensure his name will come up when the big welterweight fights are scheduled later in the year.
Afterwards, Page exclaimed: "I am the captain now," before confirming his plans to move back down to welterweight.
"I've got some work to do at 170lbs," Page said on TNT Sports.
"Guys, make sure you're watching because I'm coming."
Earlier, Brazilian Vinicius Oliveira heroically fought back from a round down to defeat Said Nurmagomedov despite coming into the fight with a rib injury.
Afterwards, he called out Umar Nurmagomedov (unrelated to Said), who lost a title fight to Merab Dvalishvili in his last contest.
The knockout of the night came from Bahrain heavyweight Shamil Gaziev who defeated Thomas Petersen with a one-punch KO.
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