Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has expressed interest in a potential showdown with undefeated star Khamzat Chimaev after the Chechen fighter’s dominant victory over Robert Whittaker in October.
Adesanya, who is set to return to action against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia on February 1, was impressed by Chimaev’s performance. “I was surprised by the way Khamzat ran through Rob, that was crazy.
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That made me want to fight him. I was like, ‘okay, this guy’s actually really, really good,’” Adesanya said on his YouTube channel.
A win over the seventh-ranked Imavov could position Adesanya for a number-one contender matchup against the 14-0 Chimaev, who has finished most of his opponents in the first round, despite competing only four times in the past two years due to health issues.
Adesanya, 35, will headline the UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. This will be his first non-title fight since defeating Anderson Silva in February 2019.
The Nigerian-New Zealander has faced some setbacks recently, suffering consecutive losses to current champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August and to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 in September 2023.
Despite these defeats, Adesanya remains one of the UFC’s most popular fighters, holding a 24-4 record with 16 knockouts.
Imavov, on the other hand, enters the fight in strong form, with a three-fight win streak following victories over Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze.
A victory for Adesanya could bring him closer to a potential third reign as middleweight champion, with rematches against Strickland or du Plessis also in sight.
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