Adesanya vs Imavov LIVE: UFC Saudi Arabia reaction and results as Adesanya gets knocked out

“There is no doubt that I’m worth the belt,” Imavov said.

“Four victories in one year, two top fives, two top tens, two finishes – the record speaks for itself.

“The real bonus for me is going to fight for the belt.”

Cristiano Ronaldo was in the stands alongside Saudi Arabia’s boxing kingpin Turki Al-Sheikh for tonight’s card.

Nassourdine Imavov will be fully focussed on who comes out of UFC 312 on top as Sean Strickland challenges Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title.

He’ll feel that he deserves the next shot after tonight’s stunning KO victory over one of the best, most dominant champions in the division’s history.

Izzy wasn’t happy with the stoppage at first, smacking the ground in frustration.

But he seems to have taken the defeat graciously, showing his appreciation to the Saudi crowd after recovering.

Nassourdine Imavov has taken out arguably the greatest middleweight of all time.

No surprise he’s asking for a title shot.

“The real bonus for me is going to fight for the belt,” he says.

Imavov catches Izzy with a jab before BANG – a MASSIVE overhand right DROPS Adesanya!

He follows up with a heavy left against the cage and that’s all she wrote!

One shot and he’s a legend killer. The biggest moment in Nassourdine Imavov’s career so far.

Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via second-round knockout (overhand right and ground strikes, 0:30)

What a win. A statement to the middleweight division.

Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov, booked in five rounds. Let’s do this.

Heavy leg kick lands from Izzy to start things off, but Imavov isn’t backing away. He clips Adesanya with a left before going for the double leg – well-defended not once but twice by the former champ.

Adesanya throws the overhand, misses but clips Imavov with his elbow as he brings his arm back.

Imavov responds with a combination – that doesn’t land properly, but what does connect is a vicious upper cut that snaps Izzy’s head back! Imavov has him up against the fence but Izzy returns with a nice right hook and survives.

Israel Adesanya is partial to an outlandish, anime-inspired walkout – but without the belt, there’s no glitz, glamour or special choreography in his entrance.

Now fighting for contendership instead of gold, a win tonight is a must if Adesanya intends to become the UFC’s first three-time middleweight champion.

Anything else will cast him further away from the title picture and could even spell retirement. His route back to the throne is anything but easy, and his test against Imavov could prove telling.

Full preview of tonight’s main event:

It’s time for your main event! Israel Adesanya faces Nassourdine Imavov in a crucial middleweight clash.

He’ll overcome Imavov, who is getting really getting the taste for the main event now. On a three-fight tear, the Frenchman soaked up home adulation last time out as he ground out a decision win over Brendan Allen in Paris, shooting him to fifth in the middleweight rankings.

Far more in-form than Adesanya, Imavov is vying for title contention for the first time, and the 28-year-old will be desperate to add a divisional great to his resume. For Adesanya, a loss here could cast him away from the title picture for good.