First non-title fight in six years

Israel Adesanya is set to prove his skills once again in a high-profile bout against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250, also known as UFC Saudi Arabia. This will mark Adesanya’s first non-title fight in almost six years. The former middleweight champion has competed in twelve consecutive title bouts, with his last non-title fight taking place on February 10, 2019, against Anderson Silva. Now, Adesanya will step into the octagon to face Imavov, who is riding a three-fight win streak, most recently defeating Brendan Allen at UFC Paris.

Inside Adesanya’s intense training camp

Ahead of this pivotal matchup, Adesanya and his longtime coach, Eugene Bareman, have been focused on rediscovering the dominant version of “The Last Stylebender.” The team at City Kickboxing has implemented a unique training regimen aimed at sharpening Adesanya’s tools after back-to-back losses. Despite falling short in his last fight against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305, Adesanya showed flashes of brilliance.

In a newly released video on his YouTube channel, Adesanya revealed feeling sharper and more prepared than he has in years. The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at his training camp, showcasing intense sparring sessions and focused drills designed to reignite his championship form.

Confidence from teammates and coaches

Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman, called this training camp one of the best the team has ever conducted. In the video, Bareman emphasized how much progress Adesanya has made, attributing the success to a revitalized approach. Fellow City Kickboxing standout Alexander Volkanovski has also been present during camp, providing additional support and guidance. Volkanovski expressed absolute confidence in Adesanya’s ability to secure victory at UFC Saudi Arabia, stating that he has “no doubts” about the outcome.

Adesanya’s mindset: hard work pays off

In the same video, Adesanya opened up about a valuable lesson he learned from his father regarding finances and hard work. He explained that instead of viewing fight purses as one-time windfalls, he now sees them as compensation for consistent daily effort.

“It’s a great way to look at things. It keeps me accountable for everything I do in the gym,” said Adesanya.

He concluded the segment by reiterating his unwavering self-belief:

“I have faith in myself—trust me,” Adesanya declared.

The stakes at UFC Saudi Arabia

Adesanya’s upcoming bout will be a crucial moment in his career, as he looks to silence doubters and reassert his dominance in the division. With Imavov riding high on recent victories, including notable wins against strong opponents, this fight promises to deliver fireworks. Fans eagerly await January 31, when Adesanya and Imavov will collide in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Source: MMAnytt.se

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