News Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov in the works to headline UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1

[BoxerMaurits]

Would be Izzy’s first non-title fight since 2019:

 

[Unheralded Truth]

Dope!

I have Izzy winning here

 

[TerraRayzing]

Much respect to Izzy. Guy won't sit around for another title shot and is willing to defend his position.

 

[CatchtheseHands]

I don't see Izzy losing this one at all. Especially because it's a 5 rounder. Imavov sucks in 5 rounders.

 

[Fahcough]

Pass. Maybe Imavov will find a new career and we get Anthony Hernandez instead

 

[Tweak896]

Hope Izzy gets the win, sometimes you see champs after they lose their belt just be "missing" something, maybe its motivation or they've climbed the mountain. But you'll see ex-champs go on crazy L skids to guys they would've had no issues with in their prime.

 

[Elegant]

Lol Izzy ducked Caio Borralho

 

[JoeRowe]

Interesting seeing Izzy not on a ppv card, but Saudi pays that bread so I guess it makes sense. Early 2025 looking nice if 311 pans out

 

[RockyLockridge]

VERY strange. I was certain this would be on the austrailia card.

They should do Islam vs Armen on that saudi show

Lol Izzy ducked Caio Borralho

Imavov is ranked higher and easier to beat for Izzy. Only makes sense, easy to justify over fighting a lower ranked guy

 

[ComeChooDaddy]

Izzy in Saudi Arabia? No way he’s going out in public

 

[MixMartialFarts]

Interesting.

Anyone know where Hermanson is? He hasn't fought since he schooled Pyfer as a huge underdog and called out Ivanov on the mic after the fight. That seems like it was a while ago.

 

[UFConFOX]

I don't see Izzy losing this one at all. Especially because it's a 5 rounder. Imavov sucks in 5 rounders.

I'm not sure about this matchup, I'll have to assess. But where are you getting Imavov sucks in 5 rounders?

He's been in 3. Stopped Cannonier. Dominated Dolidze. Dominated by Strickland.

In the loss, Imavov was outweighed by 15-20 lbs in the cage. Gastelum pulled out week of the fight at 185 & Strickland agreed on short notice but only for 205.

Anyways, if you want to count that as an L at middleweight (look at the pics of them inside the cage...it looks like Strickland weighed 185 and then ate a Backstreet Boy lmao it's comical the size difference) that's fine. That makes him 2-1 at MW, in 5 rounders, with 2 top 10 wins and a loss to a former champ/top 3 fighter in the division.

I wouldn't say that's GOAT stuff but there's absolutely nothing about his performance in 3 previous 5 rounders which would justify your take that he sucks in them.

 

[TheMMAnalyst]

Weird fight for Izzy to take - if they are going to make DDP/Khamzhat that would leave Strickland shelved.

He last fought Costa June 1st, if DDP/Khamzhat is in February/March wouldn't that mean Strickland would have to wait until next Summer if he had to sit out for a title fight, which is a whole year waiting for a title shot off a decision win over a semi-washed Costa.

I'd much rather see Izzy vs. Strickland 2 to see if Izzy can make adjustments, it's a much bigger fight and he's risking way less, seems pretty logical for both guys if DDP/Khamzhat is going down.

 

[UFConFOX]

Lol Izzy ducked Caio Borralho

He ducked a lower ranked fighter that promised to keep it standing? Is it possible that the huge taxes in Aus vs 0% tax in Saudi Arabia + oil money pay + headlining may be the reason?

I'd like to hear from Caio before I just assume Izzy ducked. Wouldn't you?

 

[hswrestler]

Welp i guess borralho is free, I'd like to see him crush Bo Nickal, Allen, or Vettori

 

[MixMartialFarts]

The UFC Middleweight division has come a long way

 

[JKS]

Great fight and a good comeback fight for Izzy.

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

Lol Izzy ducked Caio Borralho

This is true, but in his position currently, I would too. Imavov is the much more winnable fight. Guy is the least motivated person in the cage since Moose.

Leaves us with only a few possible matches for Caio's next fight: Bobby, Khamzat, Vettori or Strickland. Bobby is going to be out for a few months, but I feel like that may be where they're going, which sucks for Bobby having to get in there with wolf after wolf.

 

[Gabe]

Solid. I’ll take Izzy.

 

[hswrestler]

This is true, but in his position currently, I would too. Imavov is the much more winnable fight. Guy is the least motivated person in the cage since Moose.

Leaves us with only a few possible matches for Caio's next fight: Bobby, Khamzat, Vettori or Strickland. Bobby is going to be out for a few months, but I feel like that may be where they're going, which sucks for Bobby having to get in there with wolf after wolf.

We might get Caio vs Bo Nickal lmao
I genuinely think Bo Nickal is confident enough to take it.