Imavov showed why he belongs in the title picture ahead of next week’s title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland with a stunning second-round stoppage of former UFC champion Israel Adesanya in the co-main event of the show, MySportDab Reports.
Adesanya was slammed with a massive overhand right in the second round when a moving Imavov, known as “The Sniper,” showcased his precision striking early in the second round.
A follow-up left uppercut dropped the Nigerian-born New Zealander to the canvas, and referee Marc Goddard intervened to halt the bout after Imavov rained down a flurry of strikes.
Adesanya, stepping into the octagon in a non-title fight for the first time in four years, had hoped to revive his championship dreams after losing three of his last four title fights.
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A firm start with heavy body kicks and deceptive feints wouldn’t be enough for the 35-year-old to withstand Imavov’s clinical power.
Imavov, who is now 4 in a row, announced his intentions to chase a title fight post-fight. “I said all week that I was in perfect shape, and I showed that I’m the better striker.” The next bonus is for the belt,” he said.
In the co-main event, England’s Michael “Venom” Page dealt Russia’s Shara Magomedov the first loss of his career, using his unpredictable striking in a tactical battle to earn a unanimous decision victory.