White: Adesanya 'looked incredible' vs. Imavov before KO

UFC CEO Dana White thought Israel Adesanya was putting on a great performance against Nassourdine Imavov before getting "caught" in the second round.

Adesanya, a former two-time middleweight champion, suffered his third straight loss Saturday, falling to the rising Frenchman by knockout at UFC Saudi Arabia.

"I thought Izzy looked incredible right up until he got caught," White said at the postfight press conference. "Looked good, was picking him apart, staying on the outside. Takedown defense was incredible. Chopping that calf kick the whole first round. He couldn't have had a better first round, and then he got caught."

Adesanya took the first round on all three judges' scorecards, outlanding Imavov 20-8 in significant strikes. But Imavov dropped "The Last Stylebender" with a brutal overhand right early in the second round to set up the upset victory.

When asked if he believes age is catching up to Adesanya, 35, White didn't seem certain either way.

"Getting caught is getting caught," White said. "He's 35. Imavov is 28 years old. He's in his prime."

White agreed with a reporter that it would be "incorrect" to count out Adesanya as a middleweight contender.

Adesanya is riding a three-fight losing streak for the first time in his MMA career. The Nigerian-born New Zealander remains winless since he knocked out current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira to regain the 185-pound title in April 2023.