Fighter Breakdown
Israel Adesanya (24-4)
Adesanya is one of the most decorated strikers in UFC history, known for his precision, elite counter-striking, and ability to control distance. A former kickboxing champion, he has dominated the middleweight division for years, with notable wins over Alex Pereira, Robert Whittaker, and Paulo Costa.
Despite his technical brilliance, Adesanya has shown vulnerabilities against aggressive pressure fighters and strong grapplers, as seen in his losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. He thrives in striking battles but may need to adjust his defensive wrestling against Imavov’s well-rounded skill set.
🔹 Strengths: Elite striking, fight IQ, counter-punching, movement
🔹 Weaknesses: Vulnerability to pressure, takedown defense under stress
Nassourdine Imavov (15-4, 1 NC)
Imavov has emerged as a dangerous contender with a well-rounded skill set, blending technical striking with strong grappling. He is coming off a dominant decision win over Brendan Allen, following an impressive TKO victory over Jared Cannonier. His striking is crisp, and his ability to mix in wrestling could be a key factor against Adesanya.
While Imavov has struggled against pressure fighters like Sean Strickland, his ability to close distance and apply forward pressure could make this fight competitive. If he can avoid Adesanya’s counters and implement a smart grappling strategy, he has a path to victory.
🔹 Strengths: Well-rounded game, clinch work, power striking, solid grappling
🔹 Weaknesses: Struggles against high-volume strikers, occasional cardio issues
Last Five Fights
📌 Israel Adesanya (3-2 in last five)
❌ Loss – Dricus du Plessis (Submission) – August 18, 2024
❌ Loss – Sean Strickland (Decision) – September 10, 2023
✅ Win – Alex Pereira (KO) – April 8, 2023
❌ Loss – Alex Pereira (TKO) – November 12, 2022
✅ Win – Jared Cannonier (Decision) – July 2, 2022
📌 Nassourdine Imavov (4-1 in last five, 1 NC)
✅ Win – Brendan Allen (Decision) – September 28, 2024
✅ Win – Jared Cannonier (TKO) – June 8, 2024
✅ Win – Roman Dolidze (Decision) – February 3, 2024
⚠️ NC – Chris Curtis (Accidental Clash of Heads) – June 10, 2023
❌ Loss – Sean Strickland (Decision) – January 14, 2023
Prediction
This fight will likely be a battle of striking vs. well-rounded versatility. Adesanya has the experience, technical striking, and reach advantage to control the fight at range, but Imavov’s pressure and grappling could cause problems if he can close the distance effectively.
If Adesanya keeps the fight standing, his precision striking and movement should allow him to pick apart Imavov over five rounds. However, if Imavov can mix in wrestling and clinch work, he could grind out a decision or find an opportunity for a finish.
🔹 Most Likely Outcome: Israel Adesanya via Unanimous Decision
🔹 Alternate Scenario: Nassourdine Imavov wins via Submission (Round 4)
While Imavov is a dangerous rising contender, Adesanya’s experience and technical edge should give him the advantage in a high-level striking battle. Expect a tactical fight with moments of explosiveness from both fighters.
🔥 Fight Prediction: Adesanya by Decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
