For the first time in nearly six years, Israel Adesanya will enter the octagon without a championship belt in sight. The former UFC middleweight champion is set to face Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The bout marks a shift for Adesanya, who has been a dominant force in the division but now finds himself on a different path after back-to-back losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
Despite the unfamiliar circumstances, Adesanya remains as determined as ever. Speaking at a media session that held recently, he dismissed any notion that this fight carries less significance. “Just because there’s no belt, I don’t want to act like this isn’t important,” he stated. His mindset remains focused on personal redemption and proving his worth in a high-stakes battle against a formidable opponent.
This fight is more than just another match for Adesanya—it’s a statement. He expressed that, while he fights for his team, family, and loyal supporters, this particular bout is about reclaiming his identity as a fighter. “I’m doing this for myself,” he asserted
