UFC Fight Night Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov Predictions, Picks & Odds

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya takes on rising contender Nassourdine Imavov in the main event for UFC Fight Night betting this Saturday, February 2.

UFC odds opened with Imavov as a +170 underdog but money has come in on him, slimming his line to +135 with Adesanya now at -165.  It's been six years since Adesanya has entered the octagon for anything other than a title fight but my Adesanya vs. Imavov predictions think he still has something left in the tank.

Here are my best free UFC Fight Night picks for February 1 from the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Adesanya vs Imavov prediction and best bet

• My fight prediction
  Israel Adesanya ML (-165 at BET99)
  
  
• My best bet
  Fight to Go the Distance (-180 at BET99)

Fight analysis
Israel Adesanya is coming off back-to-back defeats but you're getting him at a bargain price in a much better matchup here. Don't forget that Adesanya's previous loss was a very competitive clash with current champ Dricus du Plessis before the South African submitted him in the fourth round. 

Nassourdine Imavov is a well-rounded fighter with good technical striking but he doesn't have any elite traits. His wrestling isn't good enough to overwhelm Adesanya and he doesn't have the power or submission skills to put Izzy in trouble.

Imavov doesn't have du Plessis' pressure and strength or Sean Strickland's striking defense and elite cardio. In fact, Imavov got pieced up by Strickland two years ago when the American faced him on just a few days' notice.

Imavov's best win came against Jared Cannonier last summer and he was down on the cards entering the fourth round of that fight. If he had a tough time outstriking a 40-year-old Cannonier he won't be able to stand with Adesanya, who is still one of most skilled kickboxers in MMA.

There are levels to striking and Adesanya's movement, precision, and diverse arsenal of weapons still puts him a tier above Imavov. We've also seen Imavov struggle with his cardio at times and he could gas out if he pushes the pace in the early going. 

Best bet analysis
While I think Adesanya wins, I'm more confident in this fight going the distance. After all, Adesanya's tendency to fight on the back foot and the questionable judging we've seen in the Middle East could tip a decision in Imavov's favor.

Four of Imavov's last five fights went the distance with the only finish happening in a controversial fourth-round stoppage.

Five of Adesanya's last eight fights have gone the distance and he turned into a bit of a decision merchant toward the end of his title reign — relying on counters and distance striking to outpoint his foes.

Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov odds

Method of Victory	Adesanya	Imavov
To win outright	-155	+135
To win by KO/TKO	+335	+640
To win by decision	+140	+295
To win by submission	+2250	+875
Draw	+2500	+2500

Odds as of 2-1.

Bet on the UFC at BET99!

One of Canada's best sportsbooks for UFC betting, join BET99 and get up to $1,000 bonus bets back if your first bet doesn’t win when using our BET99 promo code COVERSBONUS!

Sign Up Now at 

^{*Not available in Ontario}

Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov tale of the tape

Pages related to this topic