Michael Bisping Backs Israel Adesanya to Rebound at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘More Than Likely’

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes Israel Adesanya’s recent losing skid will play a factor when he takes on Nassourdine Imavov in the headliner of UFC Fight Night 250 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Adesanya of Lagos, Nigeria (24-4) will look to end a two-fight losing drought against Imavov of Dagestan, Russia (15-4), nearly two years since his last victory in April 2023. A rough stretch following his dominant title reign from 2019-2022, the two-time UFC middleweight champion has lost three of his last four fights.

“I think Izzy’s gonna come back,” said Bisping, via his YouTube channel. “He says the middleweight division ‘is boring without him.’ He says he’s here to ‘insert some entertainment.’ And make the middleweight division ‘great again.’ He’s going ‘full magger’ on the middleweights.

“But, will he beat Nassourdine Imavov? I will say this: more than likely, Israel Adesanya gets a decision.”

Adesanya’s Rise to UFC Undisputed Middleweight Champion

With an undefeated record of 17-0, including 6-0 in the UFC, “Izzy” dethroned then UFC undisputed middleweight champion Robert Whittaker of Auckland, New Zealand (27-8) by knockout with a left hook in the second round at UFC 243 in October 2019.

Adesanya made two successful title defenses in 2020 against Yoel Romero and Paulo Costo before he moved up one division to challenge then-UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz of Cieszyn, Poland (29-10-1) at UFC 259 in March 2021.

In an overwhelming battle, the naturally bigger Błachowicz outlanded the underdog in total strikes, 184-99. The defending champion retained the light heavyweight title by unanimous decision and handed Adesanya his first defeat.

The two-time Fighter of the Year returned to 185 pounds and made three more defenses of the UFC middleweight title with victories against Marvin Vettori, Robert Whittaker in a rematch, and Jared Cannonier. With five defenses of the title, Adesanya marked the second-longest UFC middleweight title reign since Anderson Silva’s reign of 10 consecutive title defenses, from 2006-2013.

The Landscape of The Middleweight Division Enters a Limbo

Israel Adesanya of Nigeria prepares to fight Alex Pereira of Brazil in the UFC middleweight championship bout during the UFC 281 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2022 in New York City. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

An old nemesis in Alex Pereira of São Paulo, Brazil (12-2) challenged the UFC middleweight champion for the title at UFC 281 in November 2022. “Poatan” had previously defeated Adesanya twice during their time with Glory of Heroes kickboxing. In a back-and-forth slugfest, Adesanya entered the final round ahead on all three judges’ scorecards, 39-37.

The challenger unloaded hard hooks upstairs with the champion cornered against the octagon. Referee Mark Godard stepped in and stopped the contest at 2:01 of the fifth round, as Pereira became the new UFC middleweight champion.

Five months later, in a rematch at UFC 287 in April 2023, “The Style Bender” served revenge and put Pereira out cold on a flush right hand to the jaw in the second round to reclaim the UFC middleweight title.

Adesanya’s second middleweight title reign came to an abrupt halt when he faced Sean Strickland of Anaheim, California (29-6) at UFC 293 in September 2023. “Tarzan” dropped Adesanya in the first round and walked him down throughout the fight. All three judges scored the fight 49-46 to give Strickland the unanimous decision win and his first UFC championship.

In an attempt to claim UFC gold for the third time, Adesanya challenged newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis of Welkom, South Africa (22-2) at UFC 305 in August 2024. The South African native got the favorite Adesanya to tap on a rear naked choke at 3:38 of the fourth round in his first defense of the UFC middleweight title.

The former UFC undisputed middleweight champion is currently second on the UFC’s middleweight rankings. A victory against Imavov, ranked fifth, can put Adesanya back into title contention.

“Your pride takes a hit when you lose three out of the last four,” said Bisping. “And you see the middleweight division moving along without you. That’s the part that really hurts. That’s the part that feels like a knife in your chest. You’re like God damn, I built this division.”