Two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed not to make his upcoming fight against Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov personal, a shift from his approach in previous bouts.
Adesanya aims to rebound from consecutive title fight losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis when he faces the fifth-ranked Imavov on February 1 in Saudi Arabia.
Nicknamed “The Sniper,” Imavov has suffered only two losses since his UFC debut and will be looking to hand Adesanya a third consecutive defeat—a win that could position him closer to a title shot.
Adesanya, famously known for his animated pre-fight antics, revealed he plans to dial back the personal intensity he believes contributed to losses against Strickland, and Du Plessis.
More Read
“This is my first time losing twice in a row. The first one, I was like, ‘Aw, f*ck. What could I have done differently?’ The second one, I thought, ‘I tried my best, but I could’ve done better.’ Now it’s like… you just can’t take it personally,” Adesanya shared on his YouTube channel.
Reflecting on the past, he said, “The last two opponents, yeah, it was personal because they attacked my character. They spread lies and said whatever they wanted, but you can’t let that get to you. It’s a fight. We’re going in there to fight. I don’t need all that anymore. The hands will do the talking.”
Adesanya emphasized there’s no animosity with Imavov, but he’s taking the challenge seriously, acknowledging the Russian-born fighter as a legitimate threat.
“I’ve seen his fights. I know he’s dangerous, slick, and well-rounded. I like his style,” Adesanya said, expressing his readiness to let his performance in the octagon speak for itself.
© Bold Media Innovations & Creative Hub Limited. All rights reserved. If sharing, kindly credit Bold Sports as the source and include a link to the original post. Unauthorised use is prohibited.
