New Delhi: Former Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya suffered a knock out loss against Nassourdine Imavov at the ANB arena in Riyadh on February 2, Sunday. This was Adesanya’s third consecutive loss in the UFC and for the first time in his career, he lost back-to-back three fights.
Izzy started the fight well and dominated the first round and everyone was hoping Adesanya would win the fight easily but in the second round, Adesanya was poked in his eye early and immediatly Imavov caught him with a big right hand and finished the fight.
Adesanya’s coach Mike Angover lauded Imavov for his knock out power and stated Imavov made pressure on Adesanya early in the second round.
The name of the game, particularly in small gloves: You can’t make mistakes,” Angove told Submission Radio. “We made a mistake. Nassourdine, I would say, with his team, recognized when we made that mistake and they jumped on it – which means they have to have planned.
Angover also believed that the eye poke was not intentional from Imavov’s side. Adesanya did not take any break after the eye poke that caused him to the defeated. Adesanya was finished in his back-to-back fights.
So you’ve got to congratulate them on that. Izzy got poked in the eye. There was a break. Izzy didn’t want to take the break – was just keen on getting on with it. But in doing that, he didn’t reset as you normally would and create some space. Angover added.
Israel Adesanya unsure about his future in UFC
After suffering the knock out loss in UFC Saudi Arabia, Izzy is unsure about his future in the UFC. He built his legacy in the middleweight division as he defended his title seven times successfully in the UFC.
Adesanya also stated that he hate to disappoint his fans and team. He will be helping his teammates for their upcoming fights but for himself he will take some rest.
Mike Angover, Israel Adesanya’s coach reacted to Izzy’s knock-out loss at UFC Saudi Arabia on February 2, Sunday. UFC Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
