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As he prepares to take on rising contender Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh on February 1, Adesanya is determined to showcase his skills in what marks his first non-title fight in over six years.
The Nigerian-born fighter, who previously held the title for three lengthy reigns and defended it successfully five times, has experienced a tough phase in his career, suffering back-to-back losses in championship matchups against Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis in 2024.
However, Adesanya remains undeterred and expressed a renewed sense of confidence. “Because I can – and I’m really, really, really good at it,” he stated firmly when asked about his motivation heading into this fight.
Adesanya candidly reflected on his recent performances, acknowledging, “I almost forgot how great I was, but then recently I just realised like, ‘F*ck, I’m good at this sh*t.’ I forget because – reasons, but yeah, it’s good to remind yourself. I keep saying, ‘You’ll must have forgotten.’”
While acknowledging the strengths of his upcoming opponent, Imavov, Adesanya emphasized that his focus remains primarily on his growth and development as a fighter. “I know he’s dangerous. I know he’s slick. I like his style. Not bad footwork. He’s dangerous – very well-rounded. It’s not about him, it’s about me. It’s about improving, just writing this chapter.”
Imavov enters this matchup on an impressive three-fight winning streak, having triumphed over notable opponents such as Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. Despite Imavov’s rising stock in the division, odds-makers favour Adesanya slightly to prevail in this contest.
Additionally, Adesanya has shared his aspirations of securing a submission victory before the conclusion of his career, a goal that reflects both his evolving strategy in the octagon and his desire to demonstrate versatility as a mixed martial artist.
The highly anticipated fight is set to take place at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, where Adesanya will aim to improve his professional mixed martial arts record to 25-4, which currently stands at 24-4 overall, including 13-4 in the UFC.
