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UFC: Israel Adesanya Changes Strategy Ahead Of Clash With Imavov

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Israel Adesanya

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya, is making significant alterations to his training regimen as he prepares for his much-anticipated return to the octagon against rising star Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250, set to take place in Riyadh on February 2.

Israel Adesanya, who hails from Nigeria, is collaborating closely with his coach, Eugene Bareman, who has indicated that their approach to training has undergone a comprehensive makeover.

This shift follows Adesanya’s recent struggles in the octagon, beginning in November 2022, when he lost three of his last four fights.

Bareman shared insights during an interview with CombatTV, stating, “There are several aspects I’m modifying significantly with Izzy for this upcoming fight. These changes are far more drastic than what I usually prefer. Typically, I like to take a gradual approach, but given our past performances, I felt it was essential to completely revamp our strategy.”

Since his last victory over Jared Cannonier in July 2022, Adesanya has faced a challenging phase, marked by the loss of his middleweight title on two separate occasions.

He experienced a painful TKO defeat at the hands of Alex Pereira, only to reclaim the championship at UFC 287 later on.

Unfortunately, his reign was short-lived as he lost the title again via unanimous decision to Sean Strickland. Adesanya’s most recent challenge came in August 2024 when he faced Dricus du Plessis, suffering a submission loss that pushed him further down the ranks.

Despite these setbacks, the 35-year-old fighter has asserted that his confidence remains strong.

When asked about his persistent motivation to continue competing at a high level, Adesanya responded with determination: “Because I can – and I’m, really, really good at it. I nearly forgot how powerful I am in this sport, but I recently reminded myself, ‘F*ck, I’m good at this sh*t.’ It can be easy to forget your greatness due to various reasons, but it’s crucial to have those moments of self-reflection.”

His opponent, Imavov, is stepping into this fight on a notable three-fight winning streak, having secured victories against opponents such as Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. Despite Imavov’s impressive form, bookmakers have installed Adesanya as a slight favorite going into the bout, highlighting the respect he still commands in the sport.

“I recognize that he’s dangerous and has a slick fighting style. I appreciate his technique—his footwork is solid, and he’s a well-rounded fighter. However, my focus isn’t on him. It’s about me and my improvement. This fight is about writing my next chapter,” Adesanya emphasized during a recent interview.

The bout on February 1 at the ANB Arena marks a significant moment in Adesanya’s career, as it will be his first non-title fight in six years. He is eager to enhance his current professional mixed martial arts record, which stands at 24 wins and 4 losses, including a UFC record of 13 wins and 4 losses. The stakes are high for Adesanya as he seeks to rediscover his dominance in the middleweight division.