Julius OkorieNigerian-New Zealander mixed martial art fighter, Israel Adesayan, is upbeat ahead of the forthcoming rematch in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
The clash will see Adesanya battle rising contender Nassourdine Imavov in a middleweight showdown.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAdesanya is eager to re-jig his career after series of setbacks against elite fighters including Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.
The 35-year-old hitherto dominated the middleweight division, boasting an unblemished 20-0 record along with multiple successful title defences.
However, in recent years, he has faced challenges, marked by defeats to high-profile opponents like Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland, leading to heightened stakes in his upcoming bout.
On the other side of the octagon, Imavov enters the fight with a solid 15-4 record and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. His impressive performances have positioned him as a formidable contender, and a victory over Adesanya could catapult him into title contention, desire which he reportedly is eager to see come to pass.
This means that the fight is not only critical for Adesanya’s ambitions but also potentially transformative for Imavov’s career.
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The Adesanya against Imavov is however not the only must follow clash of the night as the UFC Riyadh card promises to deliver a series of thrilling matchups that will excite fans. Among the featured bouts, heavyweight contenders Sergei Pavlovich and Jairzinho Rozenstruik will clash in what is expected to be a hard-hitting contest. Additionally, Hamdy Abdelwahab will face off against Jamal Pogues, providing another highlight for the heavyweight division.
Also expected to be on parade are compelling middleweight encounters, Ikram Aliskerov taking on Andre Muniz, and Shara Magomedov slugging it out with dynamic Michael Page.
In the women’s division, fans can look forward to an intriguing flyweight matchup between Jasmine Jasudavicius and Mayra Bueno Silva, both of whom are eager to make their mark in a rapidly evolving landscape of women’s mixed martial arts.
The forthcoming matchups underscore the UFC’s strategic expansion into the Middle East, a region that has increasingly become a focal point not only for global mixed martial arts but also an emerging sports destination.
The highly anticipated second Fight Night event is billed for February 1, 2025.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
