Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has vowed to return to the octagon despite suffering his third consecutive defeat and second career knockout loss against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

Following the devastating second-round TKO loss, the Nigerian-born New Zealander took to social media to express his determination.

“As real as it gets, @ufc. Rolled the dice…snake eyes. I’ll be back, gone to get some milk,” Adesanya wrote.

The 35-year-old had entered the bout hoping to break his losing streak, having lost his title to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 before falling to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last August. However, his comeback was stopped in its tracks by the rising French contender.

Adesanya started strong, landing hard low kicks that unsettled Imavov’s lead leg. However, trouble struck late in the first round when Imavov connected with a powerful shovel hook that snapped Adesanya’s head back. The former champion also absorbed a huge right hand in the closing seconds but managed to survive the round.

The fight ended swiftly in the second round as Imavov, who was riding a three-fight winning streak, dropped Adesanya with a massive right hand. The Dagestani-born fighter followed up with a left uppercut and a series of ground strikes, prompting referee Marc Goddard to stop the contest.

This marks the first time in six years and 12 fights that Adesanya has competed without a UFC championship at stake. His professional record now stands at 24 wins, including 16 knockouts, and four defeats in a 13-year MMA career. Notably, three of those losses have come within the past year.

The defeat has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with some urging him to retire while others continue to support him.

“Izzy, you got nothing left to prove, brother! Leave the game. I know you still physically have it, but you know you don’t have the fire for it anymore. Your mind isn’t in it,” wrote fan Primal Jay on X.

Another user, @contrarianturk, added, “You will always be a legend. Time to hang it up.”

However, others defended Adesanya’s legacy and resilience.

Joe Sobran shared, “Always a champion, already a legend, and probably the most well-liked UFC superstar among the people I know. It’s one thing to like a guy, but it’s another to admire how they handle the ups and downs of life.”

Other fans encouraged Adesanya to keep fighting.

“You looked sharp tonight. Great reactions, great movement, and terrific anti-wrestling. You got caught slipping after an interruption. Everyone gets caught—it’s part of the game. Rest up and get straight back to it. You’ve gone nowhere, champ!” commented Ciana Flow.

Kevin Bones also praised Adesanya’s sportsmanship, stating, “You got caught. That’s the game. It’s always a pleasure to watch you perform. Being humble in defeat is a big lesson to these younger guys.”

Adesanya had made key adjustments to his preparation for this fight, which headlined UFC’s second event in Saudi Arabia but will be disappointed that his efforts didn’t secure the win.

For Imavov (15-4), this was the biggest victory of his career, potentially setting him up for a title shot following previous wins over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen.

While Adesanya’s future remains uncertain—especially after recently jokingly referring to himself as a “gatekeeper” in the sport—his response suggests he is not ready to step away just yet.

“Keep your head up, champ. We true fans know you’re a legend,” wrote fan Angelo Wong, echoing the sentiments of many who believe ‘The Last Stylebender’ still has more to offer in the octagon.