![Jared Cannonier (center) weighs in on Israel Adesanya (left) vs Nassourdine Imavov (right). [Images courtesy: Getty Images]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2025/01/678d5-17369294109780-1920.jpg)
![Jared Cannonier (center) weighs in on Israel Adesanya (left) vs Nassourdine Imavov (right). [Images courtesy: Getty Images]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns='http%3A//www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20xmlns%3Axlink='http%3A//www.w3.org/1999/xlink'%20viewBox='0%200%2010%206.25'%3E%3Cfilter%20id='b'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20stdDeviation='.5'%3E%3C/feGaussianBlur%3E%3CfeComponentTransfer%3E%3CfeFuncA%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20type='discrete'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20tableValues='1%201'%3E%3C/feFuncA%3E%3C/feComponentTransfer%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20filter='url(%23b)'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Israel Adesanya is set to face Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. After consecutive losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, Adesanya is looking to reestablish himself as a top contender in the middleweight division.
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Meanwhile, Imavov enters the fight riding a three-fight win streak and is eager to position himself as a serious title contender. He has momentum on his side and poses a formidable challenge to the former champion.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda MMA, Jared Cannonier weighed in on the high-stakes matchup:
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“I think Israel can score more on that shot or score more in that bout. I think he has more tools at his disposal and he's more seasoned in the execution of said tools if you will. So as long as he keeps his composure and doesn't allow Imavov to get a good footing, I think Israel can score a good victory in there.”
Cannonier’s prediction highlights Adesanya’s technical prowess and experience, factors that could prove decisive. However, with Imavov’s impressive recent form, this fight promises to be a thrilling contest as both fighters aim to solidify their positions in the division.
Check out Jared Cannonier's prediction below (7:28):
Israel Adesanya implementing "drastic" changes ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia, says coach
Israel Adesanya is making significant adjustments as he prepares to climb back to the top of the middleweight division following a string of disappointing performances. After losing his last two fights, Adesanya will look to bounce back stronger.
In an interview with Combat TV, coach Eugene Bareman recently revealed that they are implementing "drastic" changes to Adesanya's training and strategy. Speaking about their new approach, Bareman stated:
"There are a few things I'm doing quite differently with Izzy for this fight. They're a lot more drastic to what I'm usually accustomed to doing. I like to take things very steady and take a kind of if it's not... Broke I need to fix it. Based on past performances, I thought we needed to really kind of flip things on its head a bit and... Yeah he's looking really really good."
Check out Eugene Bareman's comments on Israel Adesanya below (10:06):
