By Daily Sports Nigeria on November 30, 2024
Two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, Israel Adesanya, is set to make history as the headliner for the first UFC event in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for February 2025.
The highly anticipated fight will see the Nigerian-New Zealander take on France’s Nassourdine Imavov in a non-title bout as part of Riyadh Season’s ambitious sports programme.
This marks Adesanya’s return to the octagon following his submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024.
Despite the setback, Adesanya remains one of the UFC’s biggest stars, boasting an impressive 24-4 record with 16 knockout wins. Known for his striking finesse and unorthodox fighting style, ‘The Last Stylebender’ will aim to re-establish his dominance in the middleweight division.
The February clash will also be Adesanya’s first non-title fight since his victory over Anderson Silva in February 2019.
A win against Imavov could propel the 35-year-old closer to a historic third reign as middleweight champion, with potential rematches against Sean Strickland or du Plessis looming on the horizon.
Adesanya’s opponent, Nassourdine Imavov, is an emerging force in the middleweight division and will look to capitalise on this high-profile opportunity. The bout promises an electrifying mix of styles, with both fighters eager to make a statement in front of a global audience.
The event will be the UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia, further cementing the kingdom’s growing influence in global sports.
For Adesanya, the fight offers a chance not only to add another victory to his illustrious career but also to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of his generation.
Source Punch Ng
Posted November 30, 2024
You may also like...
Joshua Vs Pulev: Anthony Joshua Warns Kubrat Pulev...
Omeruo: Why I Will Remain With Leganes After...
Gara Gombe lambasts Dikko, says evading arrest ‘not...
Uruguay Sack Tabarez After Record-Breaking 15-Year Stint
Messi Is The Perfect Footballer — Fabregas
Wimbledon to have final set tie-breaks from 2019...

Ajayi focused after Diamond League wins
Commonwealth Games: Team Nigeria departs Aberdeen for Glasgow
Ikoyi Club 1938 to host 29th Nigeria Golf Champs
Spain hold World Cup trophy parade
FIFA rankings: Nigeria drop to 4th in Africa
Messi breaks silence after World Cup final loss, congratulates Spain
VIDEO: Spain return home to hero’s welcome after world cup triumph
Drake loses $1.5m world cup bet as Spain beat Argentina
[CYMI] FULL LIST: Mbappé leads Messi, others in 2026 World Cup top scorers chart
Messi is pure history, says Argentine coach ahead of World Cup final
Trump says England’s Tuchel ‘made a mistake’ with Kane in Argentina World Cup defeat
World Cup final: Messi may equal Ronaldo’s unique football record
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,965 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,307 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,214 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,820 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,702 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,574 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,461 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,978 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,197 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,665 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,143 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,527 views)