Israel Adesanya, UFC 276 press convention Credit score: Alex Behunin/Cageside Press
UFC Saudi Arabia featured a shorter 11-fight card and kicked off at an earlier time for North American followers. The co-main and fundamental occasions featured a pair of promising middleweight showdowns that probably shocked many. The primary occasion, between former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov, was the one struggle from the principle card to finish with a stoppage. And within the co-main occasion, a veteran striker in Michael Web page outmaneuvered Shara Magomedov at hand “Bullet” his first skilled MMA loss. Some fascinating matchups to return out of the losers on this card as there are a few veterans in eerily related conditions.
Israel Adesanya
Nassourdine Imavov dropped and completed Israel Adesanya at hand ‘Style Bender’ a loss in his first struggle with out a UFC belt on the road since 2019. Adesanya briefly questioned the stoppage earlier than displaying an aesthetic show of sportsmanship together with his competitor.
Israel entered the struggle ranked at #2 within the UFC’s middleweight division whereas Imavov got here in at #5.
Adesanya has now misplaced 4 of his final 5 fights. That was his third loss in a row. This was his first struggle off a PPV card since 2018. Undoubtedly might be a change of tide right here for Adesanya, he turns 36 this yr and has been by many wars within the octagon. Adesanya’s fight sports activities profession is much from over, however Izzy’s subsequent struggle might be a check to see if he’s nonetheless at present competing on an elite stage.
What higher struggle for Adesanya then to go to an outdated foe like Paulo Costa. Paulo is simply exterior middleweight’s prime 10 at #11. Costa has additionally misplaced three of his final 4 fights. Costa’s solely victory since August of 2019 was in opposition to Luke Rockhold in August of 2022. “The Eraser” final fought this previous June when he dropped a cut up choice to Sean Strickland. Loads of frequent opponents shared and an equivalent report within the final 4 fights. The pair’s first assembly confirmed simply how elite Izzy is, but it surely was additionally earlier than he suffered his first loss in MMA within the following struggle. That defeat by the hands of Izzy was Costa’s first loss in MMA. Looks like this is able to be an fascinating one to revisit and it might be a superb check to reevaluate the place Adesanya is at at present.
Adesanya’s subsequent struggle: Paulo Costa Rematch
Shara Magomedov
Michael Web page outclassed Shara Magomedov to win a unanimous choice in a technical chess match within the co-main occasion of UFC Saudi Arabia.
A bitter capsule for Magomedov to swallow as Web page is coming off a loss to Ian Garry at welterweight final June. However positively not a loss to hold his head about as MVP is as accredited as a point-fighting type striker because it will get.
Magomedov got here into this struggle simply ranked at #14 within the UFC’s middleweight division whereas MVP was ranked at #15, within the 15lbs. lighter, welterweight division.
Shara’s subsequent struggle must be in opposition to one other rising star that had a misstep in his most up-to-date bout. What a couple of struggle with Ikram Aliskerov? Ikram went 2-0 within the UFC with two first spherical finishes earlier than stepping in to face Robert Whittaker final June on quick discover. The bout didn’t go Aliskerov’s method, however he answered the decision in opposition to a former UFC champion. Ikram was alleged to face a standard opponent in Antonio Trocoli however the bout was cancelled. Aliskerov was alleged to be on UFC Saudi Arabia however his opponent, Andre Muniz, withdrew due to passport Points. This struggle may actually form the way forward for the division but when it’s not the path the UFC want to go in presently, they may at all times match Shara up in opposition to a man like Chris Curtis.
Magomedov’s subsequent struggle: Ikram Aliskerov or Chris Curtis
Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gave up a unaimous choice to Sergei Pavlovich in what many followers within the area felt was a lackluster heavyweight bout. Rozenstruik, very like his opponent, appeared hesitant to interact as he dropped his second bout in 5 fights.
Rozenstruik entered the bout ranked at #9 within the UFC’s heavyweight division whereas his opponent was ranked at #4.
Sticking to an earlier loser’s version for this decide. It nonetheless looks like a stable matchup for Rozenstruik to tackle Serghei Spivac who was completed by Jailton Almedia a few weeks in the past at UFC 311. Heavyweight actually is a crowded division on the prime ranks. These two additionally share frequent opponents and outcomes with Ciryl Gane (loss), Jailton Almeida (loss) and Tai Tuivasa (win). Making the struggle make all of the extra sense, together with the time frames matching up.
In Rozenstruik’s efficiency Saturday, Pavlovich’s grappling assault was a big a part of what triggered his loss. Spivac’s specialty is his floor recreation, however would he be capable of get previous the multifaceted placing of Rozenstruik?
Rozenstruik’s subsequent struggle: Serghei Spivac
Stated Nurmagomedov
The wheels fell off on Saturday for Stated Nurmagomedov as he began off sturdy however ran right into a cardio situation late in his struggle with Vinicius Oliveira. The bout scored Combat of the Evening honors because the back-and-forth bantamweight scrap was excessive paced from begin to end. The unanimous choice defeat stings a bit extra as Stated has not competed within the UFC since October of 2023. Nurmagomedov has had 4 fights canceled since March of 2023 together with his withdrawal being the first cancelation explanation for three of these bouts.
Regardless of the timeframe, Stated has misplaced two of his final three fights and is 7-3 within the UFC since signing in 2018. A great matchup for Stated shifting ahead can be a struggle in opposition to Victor Henry. Victor was final in motion again in November when Charles Jourdain submitted him within the second spherical. Henry is 3-2, 1 NC within the UFC since signing in 2022. Victor has wins over Raoni Barcelos, Tony Gravey and most lately, Rani Yahya. Though Herny is 37, he’s a whole fighter who’s a problem for many on the bantamweight roster and he has confronted stable competitors.
Nurmagomedov’s subsequent struggle: Victor Henry
Mike Davis
Mike Davis had his four-fight win streak snapped by Fares Ziam to begin the principle card of UFC Saudi Arabia on Saturday. The unanimous choice defeat was Mike’s first defeat since his 2019 submission loss then-lightweight Gilbert Burns. Davis is coming off a bicep tear final yr that compelled him out of a struggle with Drew Dober. And now this.
Davis is a enjoyable fighter, and one other enjoyable fighter fought on the undercard of UFC Saudi Arabia, Terrance McKinney. Terrance scored a primary spherical TKO over his opponent, Damir Hadzovic, and has now gained three of his final 4 fights.
McKinney has additionally fought each Dober and Ziam, though he was capable of submit the latter of their 2022 bout. This struggle may match up with timeframe might be one which followers may actually wish to see. To not point out, fireworks.
Mike’s subsequent struggle: Terrance McKinney
