Feb 02, 2025 01:48 AM IST
SAUDI-UFC/FIGHT (CORRECTED, PIX):CORRECTED-Blended Martial Arts-Imavov knocks out former champ Adesanya to stake UFC title declare
RIYADH, – Nassourdine Imavov scored a sensational second-round knockout win over former UFC champ Israel Adesanya to place his title within the title image forward of subsequent week’s showdown between champion Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
HT Picture
The 30-year-old Frenchman lived as much as his nickname of “The Sniper” by touchdown a lightning-fast precision punch together with his proper hand to sign the start of the top of the struggle early within the second spherical.
Combating in a non-title struggle for the primary time since February 2019, Adesanya was making an attempt to kick-start one other run for the belt that he managed for a number of years earlier than shedding three of his final 4 makes an attempt to be topped champion.
He was dethroned by Brazil’s Alex Pereira in November 2022, however he gained the rematch earlier than shedding the title once more on factors to American Strickland and struggling a submission defeat by Du Plessis of South Africa in his final outing in August 2024.
Nicknamed “Stylebender”, Adesanya began properly, touchdown heavy kicks to the physique and utilizing feints to attract out his 30-year-old French opponent, who got here into the struggle following a run of three wins from three in 2024.
Nevertheless, the tide turned sharply and the writing was on the wall for the Nigerian-born New Zealander when Imavov landed that thunderous overhand proper on his jaw, following it up with a vicious left uppercut as his opponent stumbled to the canvas.
Referee Marc Goddard gave Adesanya an opportunity to get well however as Imavov continued to rain down blows, the referee waved off the struggle, leading to a knockout win for Imavov.
“I said it all week long that I was in perfect shape,” Imavov mentioned by way of an interpreter. “I proved it tonight that I was the better striker. Now the real bonus for me is going to be to fight for the belt.”
Within the co-main occasion, England’s Michael “Venom” Web page scored a unanimous choice win over Shara Magomedov, handing the Russian middleweight the primary lack of his skilled MMA profession in a tense, tactical battle throughout which Web page used his unpredictable placing to out-point his opponent.
Beneficial Matters Keep up to date with the newest sports activities information, together with newest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, the place Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all of the motion from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, observe your favorite soccer groups and gamers with the newest match outcomes, and get the newest on worldwide hockey tournaments and sequence. See Extra Keep up to date with the newest sports activities information, together with newest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, the place Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all of the motion from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, observe your favorite soccer groups and gamers with the newest match outcomes, and get the newest on worldwide hockey tournaments and sequence.
See Much less