Israel Adesanya Attributes UFC Loss to Imavov to Eye Poke Incident
Israel Adesanya has partially blamed an eye poke for his defeat against Nassourdine Imavov, according to a report from sherdog.com. The fight, which headlined UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025, saw Adesanya, known as "The Last Stylebender," engaged in a competitive battle before being finished early in the second round.
Eye Poke Compromised Focus in Critical Moment
Adesanya was poked in the eye moments before Imavov landed the finishing sequence. Despite the incident, the former middleweight champion quickly brushed it aside and resumed action without taking his allotted time to recover. In a recent interview with ESPN, Adesanya admitted that his focus was compromised after the eye poke, leading to a critical lapse in the fight.
"The last fight, I got eye poked," Adesanya stated. "I should have taken my time and reset properly. But I wanted to carry on the work I was doing and not let him get any time to rest. And focus, it just wavers. No matter what level you are, you can never master it. I should have just locked in right there, taken my time, re-centered, reset, and gone back to doing what I was doing. You live and you learn."
Third Consecutive Loss for Adesanya
This loss marked Adesanya's third consecutive defeat, bringing his record to 24-5. The Nigerian-born Kiwi fighter is now looking to bounce back from this setback as he prepares for his next challenge in the octagon.
Upcoming Fight Against Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle
Adesanya is scheduled to face Joe Pyfer (15-3) at UFC Seattle on March 28, 2026, at the Climate Pledge Arena. Pyfer, who holds a 6-1 record in the UFC, is currently riding a three-fight winning streak and faces what is considered the toughest test of his career to date against the experienced Adesanya.
This upcoming bout presents an opportunity for Adesanya to regain his momentum and demonstrate the lessons learned from his recent losses, including the eye poke incident against Imavov.
