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'I'm not chasing anything': Adesanya hits career crossroads in pivotal contest in Saudi Arabia
Stephen Foote • January 30th, 2025 1:00 pm
Israel Adesanya will take to the Octagon this weekend with his career at a crossroads.
For the first time in six years, 'The Last Stylebender' will fight in a non-title bout, when he squares off with Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, ending a seven-year streak of pay-per-view outings.
Adesanya will be out to snap the first two-fight losing streak of his career against the Frenchman and ensure he remains in the realm of title contention, as he heads into the latter years of his decorated UFC tenure.
As far as legacies go, the Nigerian-born Kiwi's is set in stone. With five title defences at middleweight - second only to the great Anderson Silva (10).
But defeat to Imavov would all but put a nail in his aspirations to make another run to the belt, with a third loss to a top-five ranked fighter certain to result in a precipitous drop in his rankings.
Adesanya insists there's no chance he's ready to settle into the oft-dreaded "gatekeeper" role - a fighter used as a benchmark for title readiness.
"I said 'gatekeeper' as a joke. I feel like the old dog and then there's the young guys coming up trying to prove themselves," he said at media day.
"And it's my job to send them back down and let them know I'm still here.
"I feel if I lose my next 10 fights it wouldn't affect my legacy. This fight is important for me, not for anyone else. I'm doing this to prove to myself I'm still involved in this game, I'm still getting better, I'm still very dangerous.
The City Kickboxing product's last appearance was at UFC 305 in Perth, where he was submitted in the fourth round of his title fight against South Africa's Dricus Du Plessis.
Despite the lack of silverware at stake, the 35-year-old insists there's no shortage of motivation against Imavov - and any pressure is squarely on the upstart.
"Just because there’s not a belt on the line, I don’t want to diminish this fight like it’s not important," he said.
"This is still an important fight for me. Again, I’m saying I’m doing this for myself. I’m kind of being selfish.
"I fight for myself, I fight for my team, my family, and my real fans, but this one I’m putting myself first. I’m trying to do this one for myself, so it’s really important to me."
Either way, there's a sense that Adesanya is content with his lot, whatever transpires in Riyadh.
How Adesanya stacks up vs Imavov | Fight Club Podcast
"I'm not chasing anything, I don't need anything. The belt always comes back around, I'm just doing what I love."
"God forbid, if I lose my next 10 fights, it wouldn’t affect my legacy. So, I put pressure on myself, don’t get me wrong. When it’s time, I’ll put pressure on myself.
"If he doesn’t feel the pressure, good for him, but he’ll find out."
Imavov enters the contest on a three-fight win streak, wth victories over some hard-nosed opponents in Jared Cannonier, Roman Dolidze, and Brendan Allen.
The 28-year-old expects to throw down with the best version of Adesanya.
"I think he’s going to come very focused, very hungry.
"Even though I don’t focus too much on him, I focus more on myself, what I’m going to do, the shape I’m going to be in the fight, and I hope he’s going to be in the best shape so I can beat the best Israel Adesanya."
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