“I Should Have Taken Time” – Israel Adesanya Regrets Miscalculated Move After Brutal KO Loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia

In a stunning upset at UFC’s event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya suffered a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov early in the second round. The round began with controversy, as Adesanya claimed an eye poke, which was later confirmed by television footage. Despite being given time to recover, he chose to continue immediately but was knocked down shortly after. This defeat marks Adesanya’s third loss in his last four fights, casting doubt on his future in the division. Meanwhile, Imavov’s victory solidifies his status as a legitimate middleweight title contender.

Imavov capitalized, delivering a decisive hook followed by relentless punches, prompting the referee to stop the fight. Adesanya, after the fight, was quick to congratulate Imavov for his impressive victory. Once the untouchable king of the middleweight division, Israel Adesanya’s reign in the UFC has taken a dramatic turn. What was once an era of dominance, highlighted by spectacular knockouts and masterful striking, has now become a story of unexpected defeats and an uncertain future. However, it seems he knows why he lost the fight and shared the exact reason behind it.

The former middleweight champion took to his YouTube channel to share exactly what went wrong in the fight. He said, “So I knew by the end of round two or round three I was going to catch him. But yeah for me I should have taken time and again I do not make excuses and I don’t take anything away from him. He got me because I should have reset but then I was like okay cool when I did I was at the wrong distance.” Adesanya’s downfall didn’t happen overnight. After defending his title five times in dominant fashion, cracks began to show. Then came UFC Saudi Arabia—a fight that could have reignited his legacy but instead pushed him further into decline.

Nassourdine Imavov delivered a shocking knockout, leaving Adesanya with three losses in his last four fights. The aura of invincibility that once surrounded him has faded, and for the first time in his career, his future is in question. Adesanya has always been known for his resilience, but the road ahead is uncertain. One of his rivals Sean Strickland’s coach also seemed upset with the loss and pointed out why the former champion lost the fight.

Eric Nicksick points out what Israel Adesanya did wrong in his last fight

In three of his last four losses, a clear pattern has emerged—Adesanya starts strong, looking sharp and in control, only to be defeated suddenly. It has happened frequently enough that it’s no longer a coincidence but a concerning trend in his career. Adesanya’s fighting style is built on precision counter-striking, relying on his speed, athleticism, and razor-sharp reflexes to outmaneuver opponents. However, this approach demands near-perfection throughout the fight. At the championship level, even the smallest mistake can be the difference between victory and a sudden, devastating defeat.

To give Adesanya his due, he looked outstanding in the first round, dictating the pace and controlling the fight with ease. However, everything changed in the second round when he appeared to suffer an eye poke and switched stances. Moments later, Imavov capitalized, landing a sharp right hand that turned the tide and led to Adesanya’s downfall. Sean Strickland’s coach, Eric Nicksick, highlighted what he believes was the crucial mistake that led to Adesanya’s defeat against Imavov. While speaking on the ‘Submission Radio’ show he said, “It’s just unfortunate man, because this is the game, right? He made a big mistake in that fight that cost him. His stance switched forward without really any offense and, you know, Imavov was able to take that space away and reacted brilliantly with that overhand.” 

What do you think was the reason behind Israel Adesanya’s loss? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.