ISRAEL ADESANYA is in middleweight limbo following a shock KO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov.
The former two-time middleweight champion threw down with the surging contender on Saturday night in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.
Israel Adesanya returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 against Nassourdine Imavov[/caption]
The Last Stylebender was at his elusive best in the first round[/caption]
But a huge overhand right early in the second marked the beginning of the end[/caption]
Imavov rains hellfire down on Adesanya until referee Marc Goddard calls a halt to proceedings[/caption]
Adesanya‘s back was well and truly up against the wall following consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
But the favourite failed to stop the rot as Dagestani-born Frenchman Imavov picked up the biggest win of his career via a stunning second-round KO loss.
Adesanya was light on his feet from the get-go and landed a series of hard low kicks that rattled the lead leg of Imavov.
Imavov, however, was undeterred and continued to plod forward.
And he put himself in range to land a stiff shovel hook that snapped back the head of the former champion.
Adesanya ate a huge right hand a minute and a half before the end of the round but took it it well.
But he didn’t take the same shot as well shortly after the restart, crumpling to the canvas.
Imavov followed up with a huge left uppercut and a barrage of ground-and-pound that forced referee Marc Goddard to wave off the contest.
Nassourdine Imavov celebrates the biggest win of his career[/caption]
Israel Adesanya was quick to give Imavov his flowers for his stunning win[/caption]
Everyone in attendance at the AnB arena – including Cristiano Ronaldo – was left gobsmacked by the finish.
Adesanya himself cut a stunned figure as the harsh reality of the stoppage started to sink in.
He tried to hide it, but he was clearly crestfallen at his third defeat on the trot.
But he showed his class by sticking around to praise Imavov for the biggest victory of his career.
Three defeats in his last four have well and truly put Adesanya out of the title picture.
MMA fans around the world are now eagerly awaiting his next move
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