Israel Adesanya: See why Nigerian Stylebender wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev

Although Israel Adesanya is slated to face Nassourdine Imavov as the main attraction at a UFC bout Night event on February 1st, he is actually interested in another bout.

Adesanya claimed in a recently posted YouTube video on his channel that Khamzat Chimaev was good enough to entertain a potential fight with him soon after his convincing victory over former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

Chimaev has no opponent after the UFC decided to have Dricus Du Plessis rematch Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 312, and Adesanya may be next in line.

A bout between the former champion and Chimaev for No. 1 contender status would be possible as a result of this fight, which would probably open up the middleweight category.

Since "The Last Stylebender" already has a future opponent, the UFC has not yet responded to Adesanya's remarks.

However, it maintains the division's appeal in 2025, when new competitors, including Imavov, will compete for the crown.

After losing consecutive title fights against then-champion Strickland and, most recently, Du Plessis in August, Adesanya is making an effort to bounce back.

However, what Adesanya does after the fight against Imamov is still up in the air.