This past weekend's UFC Fight Night delivered a thrilling night of action. The card kicked off early on the East Coast, providing exciting entertainment for those enjoying their morning coffee. Several stars shone on this card, while unfortunately, a legend suffered a setback. Let's review the results and discuss potential next steps for some of the key fighters.

Results

• Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:30

• Michael Page def. Shara Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

• Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

• Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 3:01

• Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 2:01

• Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:22

• Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

What’s Next!

Fares Ziam

Fares Ziam showed incredible heart in his victory over Mike Davis. He endured a brutal calf slicer that would have broken most fighters, but Ziam persevered and emerged victorious. This win adds to a string of impressive performances for Ziam in 2024. He's steadily climbing the lightweight ladder, a notoriously tough division. While his record features a number of decisions, he's consistently improving and closing in on a matchup against a top-15 opponent. A fight against someone like Benoît Saint Denis or Jalin Turner would be a significant step up, but Ziam is on track to reach that level. While a finish would have solidified his position, his resilience against Davis demonstrates the character and skill he possesses. Ziam is undoubtedly a rising star in the lightweight division.

Mike Davis

I was excited to see Mike Davis back in action. As I mentioned previously, his performance in the Tiger Muay Thai tryouts was impressive, and he's shown flashes of his potential throughout his UFC career. While Davis showcased strong grappling skills, particularly with his calf slicer, he seemed hesitant to engage in striking exchanges. This reluctance may have ultimately cost him the fight. The official scorecards read 30-27 for Ziam, but Davis could have easily taken a round. Davis undoubtedly possesses the skills to be a contender, but he needs to increase his activity level and build on his recent performance. A few more fights this year would allow him to showcase his full potential and determine his next steps

Said Nurmagomedov

Said Nurmagomedov is at a crossroads following his loss to Vinicius Oliveira. This setback is a tough pill to swallow for the highly touted prospect. In the fight, Nurmagomedov struggled to implement his grappling game, achieving only 1 of 9 takedown attempts, while Oliveira landed 3 of 5. Oliveira also controlled the fight for over 7 minutes, showcasing his dominance. Nurmagomedov will need to rebound with a decisive victory in his next fight to regain momentum and solidify his place in the bantamweight division. A potential matchup could be against another promising prospect looking to make a statement, or perhaps a veteran looking to climb the rankings. This next fight is crucial for Nurmagomedov to re-establish himself as a contender and prove that his loss to Oliveira was a temporary setback.

Vinicius Olivera

Vinicius Oliveira continued his impressive run into 2025, securing a dominant victory over Said Nurmagomedov. While Oliveira has consistently showcased his devastating knockout power, this fight highlighted his well-rounded skillset, particularly his grappling dominance. He landed 3 of 5 takedown attempts and controlled the fight for over 7 minutes, showcasing his grappling prowess. Expect to see Oliveira's name rise in the rankings. He's poised for a significant matchup against a top-15 contender, potentially someone like Marcus McGhee, as he continues his ascent in the bantamweight division.

Sergei Pavlovich

Sergei Pavlovich secured a much-needed victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, albeit in a somewhat unspectacular fashion. While not the most exciting fight on the card, Pavlovich dominated the action, outlanding Rozenstruik significantly with over seven times more strikes landed. He also controlled the fight on the ground for over six minutes, showcasing a more well-rounded game. This win was crucial for Pavlovich to regain his momentum after two consecutive losses.

Given his current ranking at #4, Pavlovich's next opponent will likely be another top contender. The outcome of the Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall fight will significantly impact his future. If Jones retains the title, Pavlovich could be in line for a title shot with another impressive performance. However, if Aspinall emerges victorious, Pavlovich might need one more significant win to earn another crack at the title.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Jairzinho Rozenstruik's UFC tenure came to an unexpected end this week following his loss to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night 250.  This was arguably Rozenstruik's worst performance to date, lacking the aggression and knockout power that had become his trademark. He was outclassed by Pavlovich, who controlled the fight with superior striking and grappling.  While the UFC hasn't officially commented, Rozenstruik's release likely stems from a combination of factors, including his recent performances and the UFC's desire to maintain a competitive roster. At 36 years old, Rozenstruik may find more opportunities in other organizations like the GFL or PFL, where he can potentially recapture the knockout power that made him a fan favorite in the UFC

Shara Magomedov

Shara Magomedov entered the fight with a significant amount of hype following his spectacular double spinning backfist knockout last year. His flashy style and aggressive fighting had many believing he could overcome Michael "Venom" Page. However, Magomedov's undefeated streak came to an end. Page effectively utilized his range and landed some powerful strikes, while Magomedov struggled to close the distance and counter Page's quickness. While some online commentators have labeled Page's victory as a "fraud check" on Magomedov, I believe that's an oversimplification. Magomedov possesses undeniable talent and a bright future in the UFC. A matchup against another exciting striker like Michael Pereira would be an excellent test for him and could produce another thrilling fight for the fans.

Michael “Venom” Page

Michael "Venom" Page showcased his signature style in a dominant victory over Shara Magomedov. ¹ True to form, Page utilized his exceptional footwork to close the distance, land powerful strikes, and then quickly disengage, frustrating Magomedov throughout the fight. Magomedov struggled to find his rhythm and close the gap against Page's elusive movement. While some have labeled Page's victory as a "fraud check" on Magomedov, it's important to remember that Page is a unique and highly skilled fighter. 

He's a fan favorite for a reason, and his performance against Magomedov solidified his position as a top contender. Page even called out Jiri Procházka for a potential future matchup, which would be an incredibly exciting clash of styles. Although Jiri is likely focused on a title run, a potential fight between these two would undoubtedly be a must-see event. Page also has intriguing options at welterweight, with a potential matchup against the rising star Carlos Verhaas being a particularly intriguing prospect. Regardless of his next opponent, one thing is certain: when Michael Page fights, people are watching.

Nassourdine Imavov

Nassourdine Imavov delivered a stunning performance, securing a second-round knockout victory over Israel Adesanya in the main event. This was a dominant display from Imavov, who came into the fight with a clear game plan and executed it flawlessly. He demonstrated not only his striking prowess but also his power, knocking out a former champion who has rarely been finished in his career. This victory firmly establishes Imavov as a top contender in the middleweight division. With potentially just one more fight needed to earn a title shot, Imavov is now a serious threat to the current champion, Dricus Du Plessis, and the surging Khamzat Chimaev. Imavov's victory adds a new layer of intrigue to the already exciting middleweight division, making it one of the most competitive weight classes in the UFC today.

Israel Adesanya

It was a tough night for Israel Adesanya. He looked sharp in the first round, showcasing his signature movement, feints, and striking combinations. He was circling effectively and seemed to be in control. However, the fight took a dramatic turn in the second round when Imavov landed a devastating combination, ultimately securing the TKO victory.

While this loss is undoubtedly a setback, it's important to remember that Adesanya is a true champion. He showed class and sportsmanship in defeat, and his post-fight demeanor was admirable. Some time off to regroup and reassess his strategy will likely be beneficial.

The middleweight division is currently stacked, with Dricus Du Plessis as champion, Khamzat Chimaev looming, and now Imavov emerging as a serious contender. A return to light heavyweight, where he previously challenged Jan Blachowicz for the title, could be an intriguing option for Adesanya. While his performance against Blachowicz wasn't ideal, the division at 205 lbs. might offer a different set of challenges and opportunities.

However, if Sean Strickland loses to Dricus Du Plessis this weekend, a rematch between Adesanya and Strickland could be a compelling next step.

Regardless of his next move, Adesanya remains one of the most exciting and talented fighters in the UFC. He has entertained fans worldwide with his unique style and charisma, and this loss will not diminish his legacy.