UFC Saudi Arabia (Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov): Reaction and Results

[@tarzanstrickland]

Imavov should be talked about as the next title challenger. 4 top MW wins within 12 months. He has done so much more than Khamzat at 185lbs. People are suggesting Caios name is up there as well, but he has just beaten Cannonier. Since Imavov beat Cannonier he went out and beat Allen then just KOD Adesanya. There are levels and Imavov is at the top. I get Khamzat has hype and beat guys at 170 but Imavov is 100x more active and has done much more work at 185lbs

[@Khadersheriff]

Maybe it's bcuz he barely talk or even show any emotion. His character is very intriguing

[@DeejayWeatherford]

And you just talked about it so there's that. Khamzat definitely getting next title shot. If you can't see why then you don't know UFC.

[@DeejayWeatherford]

Imavov has more fights and khamzat still has more wins over the last 5 years Let that sink in. Khamzat competition was also a lot higher.

[@ZolPsyko]

Imavov and Khamzat are more deserving of the title than Strickland.

[@themonsterbaby]

Then have him fight Khamzat and see who deserves it (and I'm a Khamzat fan). This is mma, we have a way to solve that problem, lol.

[@goldentrophy7858]

MVP had that Anderson Silva physique at MW

[@RobertoSanchez-ew1ce]

imagine that fight

[@rm-lv8ex]

I don't like critique for Sergei from fans, give the man break he was after 2 losses when he was pushing for KO too much and paid for that, he needed to evolve his game and be more cautious especially against counter striker like Rozenstruik

[@KyleKennedy-bb7fr]

Fr mfs should be mad at hairzinho for stinking up a fight n not Sergei, Sergei did what he was supposed to do

[@TheGoodMMADog]

This

[@rippindrummer666]

I don’t blame Sergei at all, rozenstruik has some of the worst grappling in the ufc. Dude is still white belt level even after like 10 ufc fights.

[@Phjlosophy]

said the same thing

[@cedricwilford]

My thoughts exactly.

[@ShortsAddict-cj2wu]

If MVP is going back to welterweight he should fight Carlos Prates next, how is no one talking about this fight?

[@mmacaviar]

Probably because they want to build Prates, and that is a risky fight for him

[@MMAFightMagazine]

And because it isn't booked.

[@CasualGamer121]

That's a banger

[@jmz2144]

That's a sick fight, or Edward's depending if JDM wins

[@rippindrummer666]

In a pure stand up fight nobody beats mvp. I think mvp would piece up prates

[@troyhartung6137]

Izzy technique with his takedown defense has gotten sooo much better, but at a big cost of not improving his striking defense

[@alphatip.s]

Boxing defense more or less id say he's one of the best with roundhouse and kicks in general defense

[@JeanPookiesilva]

@@alphatip.spure boxing in ufc is getting better day by day, this ain’t the 2010s

[@DonDeDon445]

Nah I think he’s just so much slower. His feints and elusiveness is completely gone. Alex was his was last run. His body has just taken to much damage

[@kadendavis7379]

@@DonDeDon445I’ll agree. It’s this AND his pocket boxing hasn’t improved

[@thechickenwhisperer299]

@@alphatip.swym his boxing defense isn’t very good? He leans back that’s his defense and it didn’t work this time he tried jt

[@Kgopani3101]

Izzy should thank marc goddard for allowing him to not lose 5 years of his life

[@zaphyrox2117]

Best comments of all time

[@spacentime77]

Yep

[@bobbobson4103]

Mans done it 2 times now saved hit ass but lets chris weidmen get destroyed

[@Ziggyvu]

Bro had both hooks on top full postured. Idk how people say that was early stoppage.

[@hornedgod2873]

It was also Goddard that gave him time against Strickland where he was getting beaten up in the first, I believe

[@RyanJamesDuffy]

He was trying to create his own Perreira moment and got caught like Jamal hill. That’s a 45-70 if I’ve ever seen one!

[@MMADottz]

💀💀

[@ranjotrakkar6663]

Holly Shiiii 😭🤣

[@cheekclapper4498]

Remember when he pointed to the ground like Max and got submitted right after as well 💀

[@JerrySidhu]

​@cheekclapper4498 such a wanabe

[@AJAY.Dahone]

Not an Izzy Fan here, but it’s genuinely sad seeing someone so dominant on top lose like that.

[@dv2033]

It's the name of the game, you have a few years window then it starts closing

[@a.m.a9525]

he wasn’t so dominant

[@LackLusterMMA]

​@@a.m.a9525 To these guys, title reign of questionable decisions = dominant 😭

[@Jay-gz6sk]

@@a.m.a9525 ??? Longest MW champ besides Silva and was active as well. stfu dude, he's not my favorite and obviously isn't yours, but he ran the division for 5 years until pererra. Cheeto finger fan takes are always the worst fr

[@Jay-gz6sk]

@@LackLusterMMA whats a title rain? Fans with hardly a grasp on their first language = ass takes. lmao...

[@HopyHop1]

6:20 MVP crushed cyborg's skull, but that was from an accurately timed flying knee into a takedown attempt. That's the most impactful strike in MMA.

[@theycallmeboyapollo]

kept checking youtube for this. pretty decent card. MVP looks like such a dangerous puzzle to solve when he's bouncing in front of you like that. Crazy fast still.

[@cedricwilford]

Unfortunately, I think the only way to beat him is how Ian Garry did it. Take him down and hold him there. Makes for a boring fight, but better than letting MVP make you look like a fool.

[@vlogaakif8686]

MVP vs Adesanya would be banger

[@mrdisaster5880]

Yeah but they are friends and mvp said he will only fight Izzy for a big payday were both come out with a bag he is also moving back to welterweight.

[@ranvirojha3441]

Was thinking the same thing

[@unbroken1010]

They would try to impregnate each other.

[@AlAl-b5j]

Izzy vs Romero 2? 😂 They'll just stare at eachother the whole time.

[@cedricwilford]

@@AlAl-b5jthat's what I was thinking too

[@AJAY.Dahone]

Izzy style was good back than when he was young for guys like Vettori, Tavares and so on, But this younger generation can match Izzy everywhere.

[@vladimirgertner3960]

It's not just style, when you're younger, you're faster, snappier, more dangerous.

[@fredericdarietto9546]

Hé was fast and snappy still Just got caught

[@vladimirgertner3960]

@@fredericdarietto9546 Fast and snappy compared to regular people. At the top level of MMA losing a few % in reaction speed leads to losing streaks.

[@squadabingo9113]

Buddy he won the first round. He was far and snappy. Dropped his hands too low... Soooo. Got caught is right

[@JimDarkmagicThe4th]

Hes always struggled against people who can check leg kicks and have size. Even his canonier fight was lackluster

[@Mmastrikes205]

Conspiracy theory : izzy used african voodoo to beat alex and lost everything

[@unbroken1010]

That's definitely a funny one...

[@Calma123_]

or his voodoo got canceled by imavos duas who is a muslim

[@moneytrees3109]

Izzy’s striking defense is getting exposed against new gen middleweights

[@poneymagique5978]

At MW, MVP vs Izzy could be considered if we want to see a fun striking fight. In particular as you mentioned : with his current situation, Izzy should now target fun "highlights" fights. A fight vs MVP would be just that

[@ARR409]

Khamzat’s justification for a title shot has weakened now that Imavov KO’d Adesanya. Both of them should fight for a true number 1 contender spot.

[@chiquita683]

Chimaev won by freak accident, Imavov actually showed skill

[@filipferencak2717]

​@@chiquita683Chimaev would've won regardless be honest with yourself mate. But yeah, Imamov did more work and therefore deserves the shot more imo. He's not gonna get it, but hey, such is life.

[@tturnerr8072]

Was waiting on this since the card ended

[@unbroken1010]

Really, maybe go outside and talk to other people, read a book, do something besides polishing the banister to 🌈 hip hop videos 🤷

[@dalex474]

MMA Gods have spoken… UFC 312 gonna be PPV of the year now 😂

[@Cgar16]

Crazy to think Poatan was Izzy’s most recent win.. and that was Poatans most recent loss

[@stevensusser49]

Great content. Thank you. Could you begin your recaps by listing the best fights of the card - without spoilers? I often watch replays and it would be good to know which fights to target.

[@gucciserg8093]

This card was lowkey a letdown for what it was in writing ngl. I really thought this was going to be better than UFC 312 horrible card but who knows now

[@Khadersheriff]

I wonder how Turki felt. He seemed bored

[@EliteCustodes]

At least we got some banger fights, like Ziam vs Davis which was insane. And imavov tko adesanya was also insane

[@justinklenk]

Yeah I'd say this is the worst card in (very) recent memory. Can't win em all - but I did find it boring, plus capped off with a bittersweet changing of the guard due to Izzy's downfall performance.

[@CarsBikesBoats7]

MVP definitely has the best footwork in MMA...

[@jayflo714]

I think you mean Distance management. His footwork is good but can be exploited by the right fighter

[@CarsBikesBoats7]

@@jayflo714 Who has better footwork then ?

[@Thiccolo]

Who would have thought Shamil would have gotten the walk-off KO, and Sergei get the boring decision

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

I agreed with your prefight take on Izzy's mindset, but when you mentioned Imavov could potentially skip Khamzat, if he did something spectacular. Like, KO Izzy in a round... I was like, yeah, that ain't happening. But man, It was close!

[@RoNLIoc]

What's up G, thanks for video.

[@reeshavacharya]

He performed reverse Max Holloway against Dricus and Reverse Pirera against Imavov. Truly a StyleBender 💀

[@pixiesolowing]

😂

[@pixiesolowing]

😂

[@Luey-E]

People forget Aspinall was almost ko'd by Spivac but the man got a chin on him

[@mariokukrika8353]

Gane already fought in 3 championship fights, sure he may have gotten a W on paper but that was all Volk. I wouldn't give him a title shot until he proves he actually got better vs someone like Almeida. I'm having a hard time justifying 4th title shot to someone who seems half interested in the sport.

[@conisplash4982]

@TheWeasle not Barboza (145lbs) for Ziam (155lbs) they’re in two different weight classes… but agree that he should get a top 15 for his next fight. I can see Dawson or Pimblett.

[@Rarschoch-Moralist]

May be turner, benoit or moicano

[@conisplash4982]

@ No Moicano (doesn’t make sense to book him a fight with a fighter outside of the top 15 after he just got a title shot). No BSD (the UFC doesn’t want a French vs. French opposition yet given their current rankings). Agree with Turner, that’s also a possibility 👌

[@justaquietpeacefuldance]

Manifested his anime arc. Eyy, member when Silva fight was the middle part of The Movie? When's that movie coming out? 👀

[@lukewood2662]

The guy in the bar lost in a fistfight to a french dude

[@67spankadelik]

And some people thought Izzy had a chance in hell to be Jon Jones. NOT! 😂😂😂😂😂 He's done!

[@Rarschoch-Moralist]

Ziam deserve someone from top15. Tuner or moicano or paddy

[@KyleKennedy-bb7fr]

Turner for sure

[@konsuno8143]

I mainly liked this card because all of my favored outcomes happened which is so rare

[@Itzzmety]

I went 11/11 on picks finished 4th on tapology

[@tenacminotauro9541]

It feels like there's always heartbreak in the Middle East with these fight cards. 😅

[@redrottenmanguyperson9954]

Welcome to ufc arabia, where legends die Volk, max, whittaker and now izzy. Probably missing some more

[@blueflame7000]

​@@redrottenmanguyperson9954 conor too tbh

[@themonsterbaby]

I knew this was a bad match for Bullet. I get that mvp has been knocked out but that was just perfect timing. He's typically not going to lose a striking match. WB could maybe deal with his striking but honestly i think WB is a lil too old. But unfortunately neither Bullet or MVP will ever move fast being fringe contenders, you can't just strike in the ufc.... you have to at least have good tdd (think Alex and Izzy). Bullet and Shara can be taken down at will.

[@snowman2834]

Rozenstruik got cut

[@BatCaveOz]

Shara Magomedov was waaay over-hyped. Being a pretty good striker is rarely enough to be successful in the UFC in 2025.

[@Dynamo_06]

between this fight and the 1st Pereira fight Goddard has added an extra 2-3 years to Izzy's career

[@TestudinesCloacales]

look what happens when you go from fighting Jared Cannonier & Marvin Vettori -> to fighting actual elite fighters… good night and good riddance, no more boring snoozers headlining PPV’s. thank you god🙏🏼

[@genaroduran9089]

Sean literally has a title shot coming up. Wdym no more snoozers?

[@ZolPsyko]

Can't wait to see Strickland jab and teep his way to a decision in his next title shot

[@ferdblu1946]

Jiri kills adesanya

[@honestabe4768]

MVP looked strong at 185. Shara isn't exactly Khabib in the grappling dept. but MVP was fairly dominant in the few grappling exchanges. If he's able to keep all his fights standing like Strickland, he would be VERY difficult to beat.

[@losertrap1031]

Great video as always was thinking exactly the same too before I clicked the video. Either khamzat gets the shot against whoever wins Strickland vs duplesis 2. Then imavov the loser, or imavov vs khamzat then whoever the winner goes against the winner of Strickland vs duplesis 2 but that's quite doubtful but who knows it is the UFC.

[@fdmz2537]

imavov deserve it more than chimaev,and it's not even close

[@lunarmizt388]

It’s kind of crazy how Marc Goddard is always in the early stoppage controversies. Personally I believe that he could have waited one more second. But it was a close one

[@frightmurk846]

2:16 Edson??? the dude who hasnt been ranked at lightweight in 6 years????

[@JeanPookiesilva]

MVP vs Wonderboy would be great but wonderboy is old now, in his prime Wonderboy was way faster it would’ve been competitive back then and Wonderboy could’ve won. Right now MVP will win

[@TheElbowMerchant]

I agree that prime Wonderboy vs. MVP would have been an amazing striking display, but they've both stated they would never fight since they are friends outside the cage. I still love Wonderboy, but MVP can hang amongst the best despite being 37.

[@saifalhosani6000]

Literally only watched this video to watch your breakdown of Gaziev

[@Topdoggin010]

Imavov vs borralho for a #1 contender fight because we all know khamzat is next and when he gets the belt the winner of that should face him

[@cedricwilford]

I like this

[@234i9]

MVP vs Izzy would be quite fun. Imavov 100% should be before Khamzat in title contention.

[@709concertvideos]

He definitely is the best striker.Too bad hes almost 40.Imagine if he had joined the ufc 7 years ago when he was in his prime.If he take down defense is great he could have had a great run.

[@MMAFightMagazine]

Did Weasle say that Adesanya and Pereira only fought twice across two sports? 5:00

[@SubharthiGhosal]

At certain points MVP's lateral movement was just walking away from Shara with his back to him, knowing his shots wouldn't land.

[@Shambley1]

I dont agree with people saying izzy is washed. Im not an izzy fan but he looked really good in the first round. He was very fast with his strikes and good with his takedown defense. Izzy did not look like someone past their prime. Izzy's ego is his problem. Stop back up with your hands down. Practice good boxing defense and that knockdown doesnt happen.

[@shayanahaki8530]

Shamil Gaziev🐐🐐🐐

[@Luey-E]

MVP whooped Holland who was never beat in a stand-up fight. Except against Wonderboy but i thought it was going Holland's way until the hand break. He too long, quick, fast, precise and unreadable but i think Shara was actually gaining momentum then Page would switch it up some more. I wanna see them in a 5 round fight honestly

[@Sneakypete9742]

Izzy should fight MVP or Shara Bullet just for the stylistic match up

[@MarkSmith-qw4jo]

And imavov looked small compared to izzy,great win great ko

[@KING-KLOWDY]

Can we do mvp vs wonder boy for the FAFO title. Feint around fuhq offs belt.

[@cedricwilford]

Ha ha, nice

[@lukebyfield6144]

I really don’t get why people want mvp vs wonderboy that fight would just be them looking at each other and they have both said that but everyone keeps asking for it

[@JokersVsZombies]

If you think about it, Imavov has earned a shot more than khamzat.

[@salazarerick1]

Izzy’s boxing exists have always been really iffy He leans back a lot and it finally caught up with him People are using their straights to beat him to his looping hooks

[@iyadart]

Honestly I think the card over delivered, there was some bangers in the prelim 5/10 is a bit harsh IMO

[@fusion360music6]

We need MVP vs adesanya

[@ArchAngelDublin]

Bad take saying he beats prime Izzy no matter what.

[@Itzzmety]

Edson Barboza facing Steve Garcia on the 22nd this month. I’m telling ya ole Steve Garcia is a problem at 145. Ziam is a 155er.

[@I_run_These_Streets]

800 missed calls from Tony Ferguson 💀💀

[@JRF1004]

Weasel since the predictions you seem to think Ziam is a featherweight he’s a lightweight lol

[@mightnmagic3095]

MVP destroyed shara

[@dano1307]

Benavidez vs Morrell was fucking awesome.

[@MarkSmith-qw4jo]

Bro yiur breakdowns are brilliant but dizzy was showing in his face how hard he was getting hit it was nothing to do with "why he taking these punches" think yiu got ir twisted on this bro

[@iAMkingdom-y4q]

He switched shances because he was eye poked. He chose to continue so its on him.

[@crazypato3752]

Your HW matchmaking is off. Rozenstruik vs Spivak or the winner of Waldo/Spann. Gaziev vs Lewis For Pavlovich we need to wait wether Aspinall/Jones actually gets signed then matchmake.

[@doityourself2save]

Izzt should've took time to rest after the eye poke instead of waving off the ref...thinking he Alex Pereira lol

[@trevorlacroix8494]

I've gotta watch again, but everyone saying Imavov fought amazing is a bit much. He landed the one real nice uppercut in round 1 but that round was clearly Izzy. All of his takedown attempts were stuffed, and Izzy was the better striker, until he wasn't! IT was a good stoppage too. Nothing against imavov but everyone is blowing this guy and I just don't see it!

[@Rn.1001]

Izzy is not washed he just lost he look good in the first round that’s all

[@raymanandeze]

Give me mvp vs izzy idc idc idc 💯💯💯

[@adamh1921]

Honestly, what is next for Izzy? I don’t wanna see another sad downfall man

[@benparton1849]

Izzy vs shara, doesnt make sense but could see it happening

[@ev0wat]

This fight reminded me of Silva vs Weidman

[@bengough6955]

Israels time is done but let's not forget when he was on the rise he fought like 12 times in 3 years and had 6 title fights. Its a shame but time waits for no one. One of the greats but I hope he retires or just fights easy fun competition and not challengers

[@declandorsey9662]

MVP vs Luque is Yamasaki matchmaking

[@BrickFlairMMA]

Imavov knows what a 45-70

[@CoffeeAndSteel]

Izzy is Bizarro world Perreira and Holloway...

[@abzj8082]

We need MVP vs Stephen Thompson

[@shawnkay5462]

Imavov is legit

[@doityourself2save]

MVP vs Izzy...works for both if them

[@popojaga7312]

Adesanya went from being Icon, to trying to copy people iconic moments and lose doing that

[@jedibrooks7235]

Got poked in eye. How is that copying alex this narrative is such a reach

[@peaceandquiet]

They eye poke played a role, was it a coincidence he lost after like 5 seconds? He was winning the fight, it's his fault, he should've asked the ref to take more time to recover.

[@ashleyaboley8894]

Prolly was the eye poke never forced him to to switch stances with a low guars

[@semicki135]

I didn’t like the idea of MVP fighting Shara. The style itself is cool he just has the output of a dying grandpa and he really isn’t exciting to watch at all when he’s always at bay and it’s just sad to feed a young up n comer to someone who’s staying for 3 or 4 more fights (where he’s going to do the exact same thing)

[@Thiccolo]

Maybe MVP has the same weakness Wonder boy does, high pressure powerful boxers probably KO MVP

[@rookendgame]

Why can’t MVP fight Wonderboy wouldn’t that be the fight to make

[@JustSomeGuyWithAMustache886]

The eye poke caused Israel to make a poor decision. It’s his fault but I think if the eye poke hadn’t happened it might’ve gone to a decision for him. Then again maybe he’d make a similar mistake pushing for a KO later. He definitely rushed and ended up doing a terribly timed stance switch.

[@ashleyaboley8894]

Imavov caught Izzy in round 1 secondly his right eye get poked imavov landed on the left side of his jaw

[@alexandrucatalindragan6842]

you didn't know what you were talking about. you said he d win with the grappling

[@howtotom]

Issy is as good as he's ever been just has a weaker chin however there is so much film on him people have figured out how to beat him.

[@shredenvain7]

Why not do MVP vs Izzy?

[@yalldoneoryallfinished2335]

How does costa fit in all this?

[@unbroken1010]

Mvp and Adesanya have a threeaome with him 🤷

[@sethchristian3056]

Someone finally made Izzy pay for that lazy leaning back defense he has. normally his reach and size allow him to barley make it miss and get away with it but not imamov

[@JDP-88]

MVP should fight Izzy

[@rnf123]

Middleweight is the best division in the UFC right now.