Two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has dropped two spots to fourth in the official UFC rankings after his second-round TKO defeat to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.
Imavov moved up to the second slot in the middleweight rankings, surpassing Khamzat Chimaev, as a result of the Nigerian-born New Zealander’s loss, which was his third straight loss in a 12-month span.
Despite the French contender’s higher ranking, Chimaev is still expected to challenge the winner of the championship rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland, according to MMA journalist and official media voter John Morgan.
The 35-year-old Adesanya, who entered the bout looking to snap his first-ever consecutive losing streak, had lost his title to Strickland at UFC 293 before suffering another defeat to du Plessis at UFC 305 last August.
His latest setback came after a promising start against Imavov, where he landed several effective low kicks.
However, the Dagestani-born fighter dropped Adesanya with a massive right hand in the second round before following up with a left uppercut and ground strikes, forcing referee Marc Goddard to stop the contest.
The defeat marks the first time in six years and 12 fights that Adesanya has competed without a UFC championship on the line. His professional record now stands at 24 wins with 16 knockouts and four defeats in his 13-year MMA career.
Meanwhile, the middleweight division has witnessed other notable changes, with Roman Kopylov entering the rankings at No. 14 following his fifth-round TKO win over Chris Curtis in January, while undefeated prospect Bo Nickal has made his rankings debut at No. 15.
After the setback, Adesanya resorted to social media to show off his resilience; “As real as it gets, @ufc. Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk.”
