The UFC Saudi Arabia showcase is already just around the corner. And The Company has compiled a loaded matchup card to celebrate the 250th Ultimate Fighting Championship Fight Night.
Leading the way in the main event will be a middleweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Anytime two top-five-ranked fighters in their division square off is a big occasion. Can this matchup live up to the hype?
- What: UFC Saudi Arabia (UFC Fight Night 250)
- When: Saturday, February 1, 2025
- Start Time: 7 p.m. EST (preliminary bouts), 10 p.m. EST (main card)
- Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Venue: anb Arena
- Where to Watch: ESPN+ (subscription required)
- Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
Adesanya will enter UFC Saudi Arabia with a lifetime record of 24-4-0. The 35-year-old last fought at UFC 305, this past August, against Dricus Du Plessis. He wound up dropping the match in Round 4 when he submitted to a rear naked chokehold. This marked his second consecutive loss, and he has now come up short in three of his past four appearances.
Imavov comes to UFC Saudi Arabia with a 15-4-0 overall record—and riding a much more encouraging streak. The 29-year-old has rattled off three consecutive victories. His latest came at a UFC Fight Night in France, this past September, where he defeated Brendan Allen by unanimous decision, largely because he won the striking battle 57-30.
Which fighter is worth your bet ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia? We’re here to break it all down.
UFC Saudi Arabia Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov Betting Lines
When the UFC Saudi Arabia main event was first announced, people presumed the online UFC betting odds would heavily favor Adesanya. Not only is he the bigger name, but seeing him on a Fight Night card is a rarity. In fact, it has not happened since 2018.
And yet, while Adesanya is favored to beat Imavov, it is not by a seemingly insurmountable margin. Check out the latest Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine betting odds below:
Make sure that you double-check these UFC Saudi Arabia betting odds right up until you actually submit your wager. Our UFC Saudi Arabia betting lines are accurate entering Friday, January 17. This gives the best online UFC betting sites a few weeks to make adjustments ahead of the opening bell.
In this case, we could see shifts in two stages. First, there will be the rush to bet on the next UFC event following the conclusion of UFC 311 on January 17. That influx of public interest will have some type of impact on the lines being offered at sports betting apps in the United States.
The second stage, in our opinion, will feature a surfeit of investments in Israel Adesanya specifically. He is the second-ranked fighter in the world for the middleweight division and the most recognizable name on the UFC Saudi Arabia fight card. As the 11th hour betting heats up, it would not surprise us if his -160 inches closer to -175 or -180.
The Case for Israel Adesanya to Beat Nassourdine Imavov
Make no mistake, Adesanya remains a primary draw entering UFC Saudi Arabia. Going on 36 this coming July, he has definitely slowed down a tad. He’s landing just four significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent clip. And he’s definitely not knocking out opponents nearly as frequently as he was a few years ago.
Still, the power he packs remains ridiculous. When he sees openings, he continues to uncork a lethal meld of speed and precision. And while he may be slower compared to four or five years ago, he remains lighter and faster on his feet than most.
Emphasizing defense may prove key for Adesanya. He does a rock-solid job of blocking opponent strikes and eluding takedowns. And he will need to be vigilant in both departments. Imavov is among the most underrated takedown artists in The Company.
If Adesanya can avoid getting caught on the mat or in any compromising wrestling positions, this is a match he can win by decision or by ending it early.
The Case for Nassourdine Imavov to Beat Israel Adesanya
Some have come to believe that Imavov is simply a tune-up opponent for Adesanya. While we understand the impetus to side with the household name, this designation sells the Frenchman short.
Imavov has now defeated three top-10-ranked opponents in the span of less than a year. And his striking has improved a great deal since 2022. He is now landing 4.51 significant strikes per minute for his career. And he connects on them at a 55 percent clip—measurably above the UFC average.
Look further than his past four matchups, including the No Contest finish versus Chris Curtis at UFC 289 as proof of his advancement. He has not just won the striking battle in each of those fights. He has edged out his opponents by an average of 38.5 strikes a pop. His display against Roman Dolidze, at a UFC Fight Night last February, was most impressive. He won the striking battle by a plus-78.
So long as Imavov remains persistent on his feet and does not try to simply outlast Adesanya, he has a real chance of pulling out a victory.
UFC Saudi Arabia Picks for Adesanya vs Imavov
There is a tendency to wave off challengers of UFC mainstays at first glance. It is not due to a lack of respect, but a dearth of imagination. It is actively difficult to imagine Adesanya losing to an up-and-comer.
Then again, it was tough to envision him participating in a match without a title on the line. Lo and behold, here we are.
While we recognize Adesanya still has the power and top-end outcomes necessary to warrant another title shot, it’s starting to feel like he’s on the downswing of his career. And given the stretch of success Imavov has recently cobbled together, it is also starting to feel he’s now a title threat.
For those reasons, we find ourselves leaning towards the upset at UFC Saudi Arabia.
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