Dana White Declares Two Notable Bouts to Top the February Lineup
UFC Saudi Arabia is set to feel like a standalone pay-per-view event.
Dana White, the UFC president, declared two significant middleweight clashes that could readily fit onto a pay-per-view's main card.
On the 1st of February, the main event will feature the former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya squaring off against Nassourdine Imavov, ranked fifth in the division. In the co-main event, the rising middleweight star Shara Magomedov, ranked 14th, will be going head-to-head with Michael Venom Page, making his UFC debut at the middleweight category.
Below is the announcement made by White.
Adesanya currently ranks at No. 2. At this stage of his career, any loss may result in him dropping down the rankings. Following his recent defeat against Dricus du Plessis, speculations about his MMA career's twilight have arisen.
On the other hand, Imavov has been on a winning streak. Having triumphantly won three consecutive bouts, including a unanimous decision win against Brendan Allen in September, his main event fight will shed light on the UFC's middleweight division's forthcoming future.
The co-main event won't have immediate title implications, but it does present a significant challenge for both Magomedov and Page. Magomedov is fresh off a historic double spinning backfist knockout victory, while Page suffered a narrow decision loss to Ian Machado Garry at welterweight.
Should Page emerge victorious, he may consider expanding his division within the UFC. A victory for Magomedov, however, will allow him to climb the 185-pound ladder further. More card additions will be revealed, but for now, UFC Saudi Arabia appears set to be an exciting affair.
Robert Whittaker is Excited for UFC 311's Main Event
The UFC is off to a swift start to begin 2025. Before the Saudi Arabia event and UFC 312, which will feature two world title fights, the inaugural pay-per-view show of the year will take place in Los Angeles at the new Intuit Arena.
Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan, while Merab Dvalishvili will defend his UFC bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker shared his thoughts on the card and UFC 311's main event.
“I reckon that's an outstanding card,” Whittaker expressed on his MMArcade Podcast. “And, mate, Islam versus Arman [Tsarukyan], that's... That bout's going to settle every doubter's question. Plain and simple. Right. Because I'm not going to go into too much detail, but I'm sure everyone wants to know how good Arman is. And they all want to know how good Islam is. And that matchup will give you the answers.”
The UFC will take a three-week break following UFC Tampa's event, but once the action resumes in 2025, it's expected to be nearly non-stop for the following 12 months.
The announced co-main event for UFC Saudi Arabia features Shara Magomedov, ranked 14th, facing Michael Venom Page, a UFC debutant in the middleweight category, as per the announcement made by UFC president Dana White. (ufc, dana white, shara magomedov, michael venom page)
Israel Adesanya's next fight is set to be against Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, with Imavov currently on a winning streak following three consecutive victories. (israel adesanya, ufc saudi arabia, nassourdine imavov)
In the UFC news, former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has expressed excitement for the upcoming UFC 311's main event, featuring Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan. (ufc news, robert whittaker, ufc 311)
UFC president Dana White has also announced two significant middleweight clashes for UFC Saudi Arabia, with the co-main event presenting a significant challenge for both Shara Magomedov and Michael Venom Page. (dana white, ufc saudi arabia, michael venom page, shara magomedov)
