Israel Adesanya will look to end his run of two consecutive UFC fights when he takes on Nassourdine Imavov next month.
The Last Stylebender lost his middleweight belt to Sean Strickland in September 2023 before losing to Dircus Du Plessis last August.
The Nigerian-New Zealander has seen his reputation diminish after these two defeats, so he will be out to get back amongst the top fighters.
Meanwhile, Imavov is in much better form.
The 28-year-old has won his last three UFC contests and is looking to get himself in contention for a title.
Adesanya vs Imavov: Date and how to follow
This clash will take place on Saturday, February 1 and is being held at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The preliminary action is set to get underway at 3pm UK time, with the main card starting at about 5pm.
Adesanya vs Imavov is anticipated to start at 7pm.
The action will be shown on TNT Sports and discovery+ in the UK, with the early preliminary rounds available on the UFC Fight Pass. More info here.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will keep you up to date with all the action, while you can also follow all the build-up on talkSPORT’s MMA YouTube channel.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Adesanya vs Imavov: Fight card
Subject to change
Main card
- MAIN EVENT: Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
- Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Michael Page
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
- Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic
- Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Preliminary rounds
- Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
- Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
- Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
- Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Peterson
Early preliminary rounds
- Ikram Aliskerov vs Andre Muniz
- Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
- Mateusz Gamrot vs Rafael Fiziev
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs Bolaji Oki
Adesanya vs Imavov: What has been said?
Adesanya has publicly commented on his preparations for his comenack.
In a video posted on social media, he said: “Winning has no meaning without the possibility of losing.
“What’s the point in playing if you can’t die.”
Brazilian fighter Caio Borralho was disappointed to be overlooked for a fight against Adesanya.
Reports suggest that Dana White gave Adesanya the choice over his next bout, and he went with Imavov.
This has frustrated Borralho, and he said: I was looking for this fight, you know? I think it was the fight to make after my last performance and Imavov’s last performance.
“I’m on a seven-fight winning streak, you know? Beat the biggest one in the division right now after Dricus, so I don’t know why it didn’t happen.
“But I think that Adesanya is big enough to make choices, you know? And I think if they gave him two choices, you know.”
