Israel Adesanya is in uncharted territory for his combat sports career. The former UFC middleweight champion had never lost three consecutive fights across his lengthy kickboxing and MMA journey. After a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Fight Night 250 main event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that’s the exact position Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) finds himself in now. “I hate disappointing my fans, my team – my team feel proud of me because of the work I put into this,” Adesanya said on the UFC Post-fight Show on ESPN+. “It’s just the thrill and agony.” Perhaps the biggest thrill of Adesanya’s storied career was his last victory at UFC 287 when he reclaimed the 185-pound title by finally overcoming the challenge of Alex Pereira. Adesanya knocked out the current UFC light heavyweight champion in the second round of their fourth combat sports showdown
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