MMA news: ‘I’m proving to myself I’m still that dude’ - Israel Adesanya previews upcoming fight with Nassourdine Imavov
Israel Adesanya, one of the most recognizable names in mixed martial arts steps into the cage this Saturday, February 1 to face Nassourdine Imavov.
While the stakes may not include a title, they remain sky-high for a fighter determined to reestablish his dominance.
In this article, Sports News Blitz writer Niall Togher explores the significance of Adesanya’s upcoming fight, his mindset heading into the bout, and what it could mean for his legacy.
The road back to redemption
Former two-time undisputed UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya returns to the Octagon on Saturday, February 1, facing fifth-ranked contender Nassourdine Imavov in a Fight Night main event.
This marks Adesanya’s first fight since his August defeat to Dricus Du Plessis, where he was submitted in an electrifying contest while attempting to reclaim the middleweight title for a third time.
At 35 years old, Adesanya has previously admitted he is closer to the end of his legendary career than the start of it.
However, if the Nigerian still has aspirations of becoming a champion, he must prove that he is still able to beat the top contenders of the middleweight division in 2025 after losing his last two fights.
MORE FROM NIALL TOGHER: MMA news: Predicting every UFC champion for 2025
A fresh perspective
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Israel Adesanya shared his motivation heading into what will be his first non-title fight since 2019.
“For me, it’s just about proving to myself that I’m still that dude, I know I’m one of the best, if not the best,” he said.
“I still feel like I’m improving, and I see the work I do. I feel the work that I do, and I just want to show the world the work that I’m doing.”
Adesanya is no stranger to high-stakes drama, having been at the centre of some of the UFC’s most intense rivalries in recent years.
Heated buildups against opponents like Alex Pereira, Sean Strickland, and Dricus Du Plessis often dominated the headlines ahead of their showdowns.
However, the lead-up to his fight with Nassourdine Imavov has taken on a more respectful tone.
This change of pace is something Adesanya has welcomed, appreciating the mutual professionalism as he prepares for Saturday’s main event.
“It’s always good to mix things up but then again, this is just fighting.
“It will be pretty boring in the lead-up to this fight for the fans who like that kind of stuff but the fight’s going to be very exciting, that’s the sauce in this one,” Adesanya said.
A legacy is on the line
A loss in this fight would be Adesanya’s third in a row and more than likely rule him out of title contention for the remainder of his career.
However, the prospect of not losing three fights in a row is not something that Adesanya is using as fuel for this fight.
“[I’m] not focused on those kinds of numbers, for me it’s just another fight. A new opponent, a new body to exchange with and he’s really good so I look forward to taking care of him.
READ NEXT: Six Nations 2025 Fantasy Rugby news: The six best captains for Round 1
