Israel Adesanya Pursues Fight Against Khamzat Chimaev

Israel Adesanya, the former UFC middleweight champion, has expressed a strong interest in fighting Khamzat Chimaev following Chimaev's impressive victory over Robert Whittaker. Adesanya, who is set to face Nassourdine Imavov on February 1, 2025, stated that Chimaev's performance made him recognize the contender's skill level, stating, 'That made me want to fight him.' Despite facing setbacks with back-to-back losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya remains a significant figure in the UFC. A win against Imavov could set up a potential title contention fight with Chimaev, who is currently undefeated at 14-0. The speculation around their matchup adds excitement to the middleweight division as both fighters seek to establish dominance. Adesanya's comments reflect his ongoing ambition in the sport, despite recent challenges.