The UFC return to the kingdom of Riyadh for UFC Saudi Arabia in the ANB Arena for a stacked fight night topped with middleweights.
After an excellent event in last June the UFC return for another superb fight night card out in Riyadh. Once again the card is headlined by elite level middleweights gunning for title contention. One half of the main event is arguably the divisions best ever champion in Israel Adesanya. The former champion comes into the fight this weekend after back to back defeats for the first time in his illustrious MMA career. A disappointingly flat performance at UFC 293 lead to a decision loss to Sean Strickland back in September 2023 and then in August last year he suffered his first submission loss to current champion Dricus Du Plessis. ‘Stylebender’ aims to be back to his exemplary striking best and potentially regain the 185lbs belt in 2025.
Hoping to capitalise on the poor form of the Nigerian is a rising contender in Nassourdine Imavov. The French Dagestani is unbeaten in four fights and has only tasted defeat twice in his nine fight UFC tenure. Last time out in Paris last September he put a brutal beating of Brendan Allen in the co main slot. The win solidified his number 5 ranking at 185lbs within touching distance of a shot at gold. His last defeat came at the hands of Sean Strickland on short notice in January 2023, if victorious a chance to avenge that loss will undoubtedly present itself for Imavov. Dana White has confirmed Khamzat Chimaev will be next for shot at the belt. Therefore Imavov would most likely need one more after this weekend.
Ones To Watch
As expected these Riyadh Season sponsored cards are stacked with talent and there is plenty on display here. The co main event is a mouth watering striking chess match between, Shara Magomedov and Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Since joining the UFC in October 2023 Magomedov is unbeaten in four fights with his biggest highlight coming in his last performance. A brilliant double spinning backfist against Armen Petrosyan went viral and nominated for knockout of the year. Now into the rankings at 185lbs with a 15-0 record fans can see Magomedov rise the rankings rapidly in 2025. British MMA icon MVP steps up to middleweight for the first time in his UFC tenure to take on this marauding star. With only two fights in the UFC so far we are yet to see the highlight reel finish we have come to expect from Page but this fight will certainly present those opportunities.
Also on the main card colossal heavyweight clash as Russian brute Sergei Pavlovich aims to snap a two fight losing streak against the pride of Suriname Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Now 14 fights deep in his UFC career Rozenstruik has become a staple of the heavyweight division and with a 89% knockout rate he is must watch entertainment. The pair collide with the goal to progress towards a heavyweight title picture that is still unclear. Bantamweights will ignite the evening with an electric bout expected between Said Nurmagomedov and a new rising star Vinicius Oliveira. The Brazilian has had a excellent start to his life in the UFC with two wins in 2024 and a KO of the year contender. His form is great coming into this bout whereas Nurmagomedov has suffered with inactivity. His last performance was a great win in October 2023 but that was 15 months ago.
UFC Saudi Arabia
Main Card
Middleweight – Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
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Middleweight – Shara Magomedov vs Michael Page
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Heavyweight – Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Result: Pavlovich def. Rozenstruik via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
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Bantamweight – Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
Result: Oliveira def. Nurmagomedov via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
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Lightweight – Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
Result: Ziam def. Davis via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
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Prelims
Featherweight – Muhammed Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
Result: Naimov def. Ofli via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Heavyweight – Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen
Result: Gaziev def. Petersen via KO (straight right) Round 1 3:12
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Lightweight – Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic
Result: McKinney def. Hadzovic via TKO (ground and pound) Round 1 2:01
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Women’s Flyweight – Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
Result: Jasudavicius def. Bueno Silva via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
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Featherweight – Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander
Result: Grad def. Alexander via TKO (ground and pound) Round 2 4:22
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Heavyweight – Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
Result: Abdelwahab def. Pogues via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30)
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