The stakes couldn’t be higher for Israel Adesanya as he gears up for his highly anticipated return at UFC Riyadh. While fans are buzzing about his comeback, former rival and middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has issued a stark warning. Whittaker, who has shared the Octagon with Adesanya twice and recently spent time training with him, believes the biggest danger lies not in Adesanya’s striking game but in the ground game of his opponent, Nassourdine Imavov.
Whittaker recently opened up on the MMArcade Podcast, offering a tactical breakdown of Adesanya’s matchup. The New Zealander emphasized one glaring danger: Imavov’s elite grappling skills.
“Imavov’s grappling is very good,” Whittaker stated. “He gets the back of just about every opponent he fights. That’s where the fight gets won for him.”
The stakes are high for Adesanya, who is looking to bounce back after consecutive losses to Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland. Standing in his path is Imavov, a rising star with a resume that includes victories over Brendan Allen, Jared Cannonier, and Roman Dolidze. While Adesanya is renowned for his striking prowess, Whittaker warns that Imavov’s ground game could be the ultimate equalizer.
Imavov’s Grappling: The Deciding Factor?
For Robert Whittaker, the key to this bout is crystal clear. “Adesanya cannot give up his back,” he insisted. “Imavov thrives in that position—he secures the body triangle, controls the fight, and dominates from there.” Highlighting Imavov’s consistency, Whittaker added, “Every fight he’s had, he gets the back. That’s the fight we’re going to see.”
Whittaker believes the clash boils down to contrasting game plans: Adesanya keeping the fight at striking range, using his elite footwork and precision to pick Imavov apart, versus Imavov pressing forward, closing the distance, and turning it into a grappling-heavy contest.
For Adesanya, avoiding the trap Whittaker outlines is more than just advice—it could be the difference between redemption and another setback. Fans worldwide are eager to see if Adesanya can execute the perfect game plan and reclaim his path to glory.
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