Abus Magomedov sets his sights on Israel Adesanya after first-round submission win in Baku

Abus Magomedov turned UFC Baku into a platform for a bigger statement. After defeating Michal Oleksiejczuk in a middleweight matchup Saturday, Magomedov pointed directly toward Israel Adesanya, indicating that he wants a high-profile showdown next.

The finish came early. According to the report, Magomedov dropped Oleksiejczuk with a sharp elbow exchange and then worked through grappling until he secured a guillotine choke in the opening round. It was the kind of sequence that draws attention not just for the win, but for the manner in which it happened, with striking setting up the submission.

Following the stoppage, Magomedov used the moment to call out Adesanya. The story says Magomedov accused Adesanya of “talking s-t” about him in the past, framing the proposed matchup as more than a routine career step. He also acknowledged a respectful side of the rivalry, including that he grew up watching Adesanya, which adds a personal edge to the public callout.

For Adesanya, a fight like this would represent a clash of different eras and styles. Adesanya has built much of his legacy on striking and distance control, while Magomedov’s UFC highlight, at least in this outing, showed an ability to turn a brief window into decisive control on the ground. Even without any matchup announcement, the contrast is obvious, and it is the reason Magomedov’s callout is likely to resonate.

UFC Baku also matters for how it positions emerging contenders. Magomedov’s win over Oleksiejczuk gives him a widely recognized name attached to a quick, credible finish, and it puts him in the conversation for opponents fans associate with larger spotlight fights. In the short term, the most immediate storyline is whether UFC officials are willing to gamble on the headline potential of Adesanya versus the more traditional path of matching contenders against specific ranked targets.

That said, the report does not include confirmation of a signed bout, a formal offer, or any details about timing, weight-class logistics, or event placement. Until the UFC and both camps speak with more precision, Magomedov’s comments should be treated as a request and an agenda-setting move, not a contract in motion.

The next thing to watch is whether Adesanya responds directly and whether UFC matchmaking aligns with the callout. If it does, fans could be staring at a fight built around striking fundamentals meeting a fighter who can convert a single moment into a submission finish. If it does not, Magomedov will still have to continue building credibility with the next opponent he is assigned, using the same blend of pressure and finishing threat that produced the guillotine in Baku.