Israel Adesanya Responds to Fight Night Booking: “I Still Get Paid”
By FCF Staff
For the first time in over six years, Israel Adesanya has been booked for a bout that will not be part of a pay-per-view card. But, the former UFC middleweight champ insists he’s not concerned about his return to a Fight Night event.
Recently, the UFC announced that Adesanya will fight Nassourdine Imavov at the promotion’s February 1st card in Saudi Arabia. The bout will mark the first time since February, 2019 that the star will not be competing in a title fight, and it will be the first time since July, 2018, Adesanya isn’t fighting on a pay-per-view card.
In a recent video that went up on Adesanya’s YouTube channel, he was asked whether he’s bothered by the fight’s placement. The Nigerian born fighter was quick to dismiss that notion.
“I still get paid,” Adesanya said. “There’s still a referee, it’s two of us in there, there’s a crowd. It’s not like in the f*cking Apex or something, so it doesn’t feel any different. I think people are making it out to be something how they would react to it, but they’re not in my shoes. They’re not in my shorts.
“,,, It’s a Saudi Arabia Fight Night, first of all. I still get paid. It still feels like you’re fighting Israel Adesanya. This is the biggest fight of his life. I have to be the one to halt that. It still feels the same. It doesn’t feel any different.”
Adesanya (24-4) is coming off a submission loss to current middleweight champ, Dricus Du Plessis, in August. The renowned striker has gone 2-3 in his last 5 contests.
Imavov (15-4), meanwhile, defeated Brendan Allen by decision in his last fight, which took place in September. The Dagestani fighter has won three in a row.