Izzy Still Good Enough?

The UFC heads to the Middle East this week for a banger of a card in Riyadh. The main event sees the return of the last Stylebender, as Israel Adesanys takes on Frenchman Nassourdine Imavov. After losing his last two, questionmarks remain over the former middleweight champion Adesanya. Is he past it? Can he return to winning ways?
Turn the clocks back a little over a years ago and it would have been unthinkable to question a man that has been there and done it all. After exacting revenge on Alex Periera and regaining the title, it appeared Izzy was untouchable once again. However, a shock defeat to Sean Strickland led many to believe that Adesanya had lost the hunger to succeed.
He took almost a year off and returned to the octagon in August of last year where he met fellow African Dricus Du Plessis. Unfortunately for Adesanya it was the same result, suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in his career. You now have to wonder is this Adensanya’s last shot at a title run?
Standing in his way is a man that has won his last three in a row and that many consider a title contender. Imavov has shown he can mix it with the best in the division, having picked up wins over the likes over Buckley, Dolidze, Cannonier and most recently Brendan Allen.
Both these men have something in common and that is that they lost to former champ Strickland on points in 2023. However, Imavov has been on the up since then and Adesanya on the decline. This is an intriguing main event that could be very cat and mouse to begin with. Imavov will no doubt feel the pressure of such a huge bout and Adesanya will have to shake of the rust having thought just twice over the last 18 months.
Betting Prediction – Over 3.5 Rounds
The Bullet Looking to Tear up the Page

Despite losing to Ian Machado Garry last time out, Michael ‘Venom’ Page has lived up to the hype since his switch the the UFC. He’s also not ducked a challenge, taking on the best that the promotion has to offer. That’s certainly the case once again as he takes on Sharabutdin Magomedov in the co-main event this weekend.
That’s because ‘The Bullet’ has been on a tear up since joining the UFC in 2023 and he’s certainly a middleweight many have tried to avoid. He’s picked up four wins in the UFC and his excellent blend of striking and wrestling makes him a force to be reckoned with.
There is no doubt that he is stepping up in competition here, going up against a man that has fought the likes of Ian Garry, Kevin Holland and Douglas Lima. However, it’s hard for me to see anything but a win for the rising star. Michael Page always has a chance in any fight he’s in because it’s hard to replicate his illusive style in training and Magomedov won’t have faced anyone like him before. With that said, Page is hardly known for his takedown defense and if Magomedov gets his hands on him and takes the fight to the ground, it could be a long night for the Brit.
Betting Prediction – Sharabutdin Magomedov to Win
Short Nights Work for Heavyweights

Also featured on the card is a heavyweight showdown between Sergei Pavlovich and Jairzinho ‘Bigi Boy’ Rozenstruik. Despite the Russian Pavlovich having lost his last two bouts and Rozenstruik winning his last two, the oddsmakers have Pavlovich as a short priced favorite in this one. Granted he has first round wins over the likes of Derrick Lewis, Tuivasa and Curtis Blaydes but you have to feel back-to-back defeats will have dented the 32-year odds confidence slightly.
Now I’m not saying he won’t win. The chances are he will as the oddsmakers very rarely get things wrong. I just wouldn’t take him at such short odds. The smart play seems to be backing the fight to finish inside the distance. Before losing a decision to Volkov last time out, Pavlovich hadn’t gone past the first round in any of his seven UFC contests. Bigi Boy also went all the way in his last fight, but prior to that his previous four bouts finished within the alloted time. If you’re feeling brave you could wager on the fight to finish in the very first round as three of those four fights didn’t see a second round.
Betting Prediction – Fight not to go the Distance
Another Nurmagomedov in the Spotlight
It seems like you just can’t have an MMA card without a Nurmagomedov on it these days. This time it’s Said’s time to step into the spotlight as he takes on Brazilian Vinicius Oliveira. The Brazilian is a bit of an unknown quantity in the UFC, however he picked up two wins from two last year, both against decent opposition.
Nurmagomedov has much more experience than his opponent here and that could play into his hands in front of a large crowd at the ANB Arena. With that said Nurmagomedov has struggled to back up his performances inside the octagon having alternated between submission victories and decisions in his last five fights and I believe this trend could continue here. If you pushed me for a winner I would take the Russian, however, with as we dont know too much about Oliviera I’m going to be cautious here.
Betting Prediction – Fight to go the Distance
Also on the Card
Featherweight Division – Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
Heavyweight Division – Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen
Lightweight Division – Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic
Lightweight Division – Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
Women’s Flyweight Division – Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Featherweight Division – Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander
Heavyweight Division – Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
Lightweight Division – Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Bolaji Oki
By Dean McHugh