Head coach Eugene Bareman wasn’t kidding when he mentioned Israel Adesanya was present process “drastic” modifications for his middleweight return towards Nassourdine Imavov, which tops the UFC Saudi Arabia battle card on Sat., Feb. 1, 2025 inside The Venue in Riyadh.
Adesanya, 35, not too long ago revealed one among his “new pals” for 2025: former UFC middleweight champion and longtime 185-pound rival Robert Whittaker. “The Final Stylebender” defeated “The Reaper” by technical knockout at UFC 243, then prevailed a second time in a a lot nearer battle after their UFC 271 rematch.
Adesanya (24-4) is coming off back-to-back losses to Sean Strickland and present champion Dricus Du Plessis and can compete in his first non-title bout in over 5 years. As for Imavov (15-4, 1 NC), now ranked within the Prime 5 at 185 kilos, he’s seeking to seize his fourth straight win after disposing of Brendan Allen at UFC Paris final September.
The still-healing Whittaker (26-8) stays unbooked following a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev final October in Abu Dhabi.
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