Israel Adesanya wants to 'throw hands' with surging middleweight after UFC Riyadh main event
01/28/2025 06:59 PM
Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya has a big name in mind for a potential post-fight callout if he’s victorious this weekend in Riyadh.
Israel Adesanya will return to the Octagon this Saturday against Nassourdine Imavov in his first non-title fight since UFC 234. He’s looking to snap the first losing skid of his MMA career after back-to-back title defeats to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.
Adesanya is in a unique spot in the UFC middleweight title picture. For the first time in a long time, he’s on the outside looking in when it comes to the middleweight title mix as he looks to work his back to another potential shot at the belt.
In the meantime, Adesanya’s willingness to face top contenders like Imavov shows his seriousness about getting back to the title. Strickland and du Plessis will square off in a rematch at UFC 312 next month with Khamzat Chimaev likely set for the winner.
Assuming that’s the case, Adesanya doesn’t mind facing another contender should he defeat Imavov this weekend in Riyadh. His target? a Brazilian juggernaut who is quickly approaching title contention.
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Israel Adesanya calls out surging Brazilian contender for next fight with a win at UFC Riyadh
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Adesanya called out Caio Borralho for a fight after UFC Riyadh.
“Good style, I like his style,” Adesanya said. “Our interactions have been respectful and cordial. And it’s just f***ing hands, bro. You’re good, I’m good, let’s throw hands and see what’s up. No bad blood or nothing, I just want to test myself against these young guys like Nassourdine Imavov.
“I know the answer, but I want to prove it to myself and find out myself. So we’re going to find out.”
Borralho defeated Adesanya’s UFC 276 rival, Jared Cannonier, in his first UFC main event last August by unanimous decision. He’s unbeaten in the UFC and holds a 16-fight winning streak overall.
Adesanya and Borralho were briefly rumored to clash at UFC 312 in Sydney, but the matchmakers pivoted on booking the fight. A win at UFC Riyadh would set Adesanya up nicely for either a fight with a top contender like Borralho, or other potential options.
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Israel Adesanya set for first non-title fight since UFC 234
Adesanya’s return comes after a submission loss to du Plessis at UFC 305 last year. Before the defeat to du Plessis, Adesanya suffered a stunning loss to Strickland to abruptly end his second title stint at UFC 293.
Adesanya would be the toughest test of Borralho’s career, by far, but would be an important step in his pursuit of title contention. Borralho has also defeated the likes of Abus Magomedov and Paul Craig during his UFC tenure.
First thing’s first for Adesanya as he looks to snap his first MMA skid, get back in the win column, and return to the title mix. But a victory this weekend could point him in the direction of facing Borralho or another top middleweight as he looks to potentially return to the throne.
