Adesanya vs Imavov LIVE: UFC Saudi Arabia reaction and results as Adesanya gets knocked out
Relive the action as Israel Adesanya is knocked out by Nassourdine Imavov to deal the ex-champion a third straight defeat
Nassourdine Imavov stunningly knocked out Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia to extend the former two-time middleweight champion’s losing streak to three.
The in-form Frenchman slept the Nigerian-born New Zealander in two rounds to stamp his mark as the future of the division, condemning Adesanya to defeat in a fight that felt must win for the 35-year-old.
All eyes will now be on the main event of UFC 312 which sees Sean Strickland challenge Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight strap, with Imavov insistent that Saturday’s win should put him next in line.
Elsewhere, Michael “Venom” Page handed Shara Magomedov his first loss in an upset victory, which saw the London welterweight move up a weight class. ‘MVP’ put on an assured display to overcome the Dagestan fighter in a unanimous decision victory.
Relive the action from UFC Saudi Arabia, below.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Round three
The third round starts in the same vein as the first two, with both unwilling to throw heavy shots in the first minute.
However, we get a glimpse of drama as Pavlovich connects with a combination before Rozenstruik retaliates with a sharp left that gets through. Pavlovich then lands another warhead, eaten by Bigi Boy, before the fight goes to the ground.
Once again, Pavlovich has top control and is doing diligent work, throwing enough ground and pound to prevent the referee from resetting.
The pair return to the feet for the final 30 seconds engage in late fisticuffs, but no-one gets slept. The fight goes the distance.
Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Not the clash of heavyweights we were exactly expecting, but it puts Pavlovich back in the win column. Safe to say that victory won’t do much for his stock, though.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Round two
Pavlovich is not feeling any need to rush this - to the dismay of the Saudi crowd.
Two minutes pass and there’s very little to speak of. The referee tells the pair to pick things up and immediately Pavlovich connects with a right to DROP Rozenstruik - it only takes one moment!
Bigi Boy isn’t out just yet but is under the cosh as Pavlovich jumps on him. That said, the Russian isn’t desperate to go for the kill and is happy to work on top half guard to see out the round.
Pavlovich is surely two rounds to the good, but this hasn’t been the heavyweight cracker we were hoping for so far.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Round one
Quiet first minute as Pavlovich looks to manage his distance, possessing the reach advantage.
Nice right lands from Pavlovich before moving in, swinging jackhammers hoping for that knockout blow. No connection there but the Russian isn’t rushing, taking his time before landing another right.
Boos begin to sound around the anb Arena for inactivity - but as is with heavyweight fights, it only takes one punch for the things to change drastically. Pavlovich lands his heaviest shot of the round to appease the crowd before the pair tumble onto the mat, where they see out the first five minutes.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Here come the heavyweights.
Sergie Pavlovich takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik looking to re-establish himself as a stone-cold knockout artist.
The big Russian comes into the bout off the back of two disappointing defeats – first to Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight belt, before succumbing to a decision loss to Alexander Volkov.
He faces off against an in-form Rozenstruik, who is comparatively coming into this fight on a two-win streak. A man who has always struggled to break into the upper echelons of the division, now might be a chance for Bigi Boy to truly stamp his mark.
Time for some nuclear warheads to be thrown. A knockout feels guaranteed here.
One Nurmagomedov beaten, Oliveira wants another
Vinicius Oliveira has called out Umar Nurmagomedov after extending his unbeaten run in the UFC against Said Nurmagomedov.
An ambitious call-out from the Brazilian, with Umar just coming off the back of a bantamweight title clash with Merab Dvalishvili.
He also revealed that tonight’s fight was on the verge of being cancelled, with the Brazilian carrying an injury into the bout.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
Round three
Both guys look exhausted but they just keep throwing. Nurmagomedov tries to connect with an early headkick but slips, taking the fight to the ground.
Oliveira has the edge in the scramble and is keeping Nurmagomedov under control, before spotted an opportunity for submission. He tries to get the choke but can’t get it locked in.
Back on the feet for the final 90 seconds, both men are swinging wildly! Nurmagomedov lands another spinning attack but it’s eaten up by Oliveira. No last-gasp KO to speak of here, we go to the judges.
Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
After that first round, you wouldn’t have been blamed if you wrote Oliveira off. A fantastic, relentless recovery performance from the Brazilian.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
Round two
Both start the round with more spinning attacks, no big connection though. Nurmagomedov then goes for the takedown with a beautiful entry, strong defence from Oliveira to keep it on the feet.
Oliveira connects with a headkick and evades a spinning backfist attempt before successfully taking Nurmagomedov down.
Back on the feet, the chaos continues as both throw a barrage of overhands looking for that killer blow. They return to scrambling before Oliveira winds up the combinations once more. After only landing four significant strikes in the first, he’s dominated the last five minutes.
Gas tanks are very much beginning to give out. To the third we go.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
Round one
Nurmagomedov immediately puts Oliveira on the backfoot, landing a number of vicious calf kicks. He then has the Brazilian back-peddling after breaking through the guard with spinning back kick - for a second, it looked like we’d just witnessed a knockout of the year contender.
Oliveira begins to find his feet midway through the round, getting Nurmagomedov up against the cage. But after an eyepoke stunted the flow of the fight, Nurmagomedov burst back on the offensive, flying through the air as he looked to crack a knee off Oliveira’s skull.
Oliveira just evades and gets him down to see out the rest of the round. He’ll up on control time, not so much in terms of damage.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
Next up, Said Nurmagomedov squares off against Vinicius Oliveira at in an ‘old guard versus new’ at bantamweight.
Nurmagomedov returns after a 15-month layoff and will look to derail the early rise of Oliviera, who has made a splash since his debut.
The Brazilian is 2-0 in the UFC and comes off a unanimous decision win over Ricky Simon. A win against Nurmagomedov could be career altering.
An exciting bout that could shuffle the rankings and perhaps have future implications on the title picture.
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
Round three
Final five minutes of what’s been a fascinating fight so far. Let’s get into it.
Covered in crimson, Ziam and Davis get to the ground early in the third and are grappling near the fence. Ziam butterflies to get back to his feet and when they return to the mat, it’s the Frenchman who’s on top.
He loses his advantageous position when Davis spots an opportunity for a heel hook. Davis goes on to see out the fight with top control, raining down late ground and pound in a Hail Mary effort to prevent an impending loss. The scorecards are in...
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Five in a row for the Frenchman.
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