UFC Saudi Arabia’s Israel Adesanya believes his legacy is secure even if he ‘loses his next ten fights’

Alexander Behunin specializes in running MMAmania.com's various social media accounts, as well as covering live UFC events, interviewing the sports biggest stars and personalities.

Legacy secured!

Former two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight champion Israel Adesanya makes his first appearance of the year this weekend (Sat., Feb. 1, 2025) in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, against surging contender Nassourdine Imavov from inside Anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

For the first time in his iconic UFC career, “The Last Stylebender” is in a rare position: He has lost two fights in a row.

But that doesn’t matter to the former champion. In fact, Izzy believes he can go on a massive losing streak (like his idol Anderson Silva did inside the Octagon), and his legacy will still be secured.

“I feel honestly, God forbid if I lose my next 10 fights, it wouldn’t affect my legacy,” Adesanya told reporters during UFC Saudi Arabia media day. “I put pressure on myself. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes time, I will put pressure on myself. If [Imavov] doesn’t feel the pressure good on him, but he’ll find out.”

Several mixed martial arts (MMA) legends went on nasty streaks at the end of their careers, but their legacies are still intact, so “Stylebender” does have a point ... even though a ten-fight losing streak is wild.

Nevertheless, while Adesanya believes he can compete freely because he’s finally been submitted and knocked out (in MMA) and doesn’t have an undefeated record anymore, he needs to prove that he’s still the guy in the Middleweight division.

“Yes,” Adesanya told reporters when asked if he feels like the UFC veteran in this upcoming fight. “I said gatekeeper as a joke early on. I feel like the old dog, and then there are the young guys coming up, trying to prove themselves. So it’s my job to send them back down and let them know.”

LIVE! Stream UFC Saudi Arabia On ESPN+

MIDDLEWEIGHT MAYHEM! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heads back to ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sat., Feb. 1, 2025, with an important 185-pound main event featuring former division champion, Israel Adesanya, taking on fast-rising French sensation, Nassourdine Imavov. In addition, undefeated hometown hero, Shara Magomedov, looks to defend his home turf against savvy striker and former Bellator MMA bruiser, Michael Page, in UFC Saudi Arabia’s hard-hitting co-headliner.

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MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Saudi Arabia fight card RIGHT HERE, starting with the ESPN+ preliminary card matchups, which are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET, followed by the remaining main card balance on ESPN+ at 12 p.m. ET.

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Saudi Arabia news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For the updated and finalized “Adesanya vs. Imavov” fight card and ESPN+ lineup click here.