UFC: Imavov expects a tough Adesanya on Saturday as Bisping and Page back Nigerian to win

UFC: Imavov expects a tough Adesanya on Saturday as Bisping and Page back Nigerian to win

UFC fighter Nassourdine Imavov doesn’t think Israel Adesanya has lost a step ahead of UFC Fight Night 250.

Imavov (15-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) takes on former middleweight champion Adesanya (24-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) in Saturday’s main event (ESPN+) at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Adesanya will look to rebound from the first losing skid of his career after back-to-back title fight setbacks to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis. Imavov thought Adesanya looked good against Du Plessis before getting submitted in Round 4 at UFC 305.

“I don’t think he’s getting older,” Imavov said through an interpreter during Wednesday’s media day. “If you look at his fight against DDP, he was doing very well. In my opinion, he was winning the fight before the submission. So, I think he’s going to come very focused, very hungry.

“Even though I don’t focus too much on him, I focus more on myself, what I’m going to do, the shape I’m going to be in the fight, and I hope he’s going to be in the best shape so I can beat the best Israel Adesanya.”

Robert Whittaker, who recently spent time training with Adesanya, said Imavov’s best path to victory is on the ground hunting for a rear-naked choke. When asked about Whittaker’s breakdown, Imavov laughed but didn’t disagree.

“Very good strategy,” Imavov said. “Now, I have the one that I’ve worked on for months with my team, so on the day of the fight I’m going to apply my strategy – even though Robert’s strategy could work very well.”

Meanwhile, Michael Bisping has taken a good look at the marquee middleweight matchup at UFC Fight Night 250.

Bisping thinks the former champion will be motivated enough to stop streaking contender Imavov.

“More than likely Israel Adesanya gets a decision,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “I think he uses the jab, I think he lowers his base, I think he’s probably pissed off and a little bit embarrassed. Israel Adesanya, when you’re the champion of the world, when you’re defending the belt so many times and you think your sh*t doesn’t stink and you can beat everybody, you do get a little bit embarrassed.

“Your pride takes a hit when you lose three out of the last four, and you see the middleweight division moving along without you. …Over five rounds, I do believe Israel Adesanya wins via decision. I think he maintains range, keeps his distance, moves around, uses all of the space inside the octagon and in Saudi Arabia, Israel Adesanya will be the winner.”

And Michael "Venom" Page is expecting Israel Adesanya to return to form at UFC Saudi Arabia as the former undisputed middleweight champion looks to bounce back from a poor run of form.

It's a fight Page says Adesanya will win, with the Brit offering his prediction for Saturday night's main event bout in Riyadh.

"I'd bet my house on Adesanya coming back," Page told Pokerscout.com.

"I know he's had a few ups and downs, but he's just got that mentality, that grind, that push, he wants to get back there.

"I've spoken to the team and he's changed a few things around and he's doing a few more things again. That shows excitement, that shows motivation like he's trying to still make things work and change things and adjust things.

"Adesanya turns up either way, he's gonna win."