The Release of UFC Fight Lineup for Saudi Arabia Features Previous Champion and Nine Ranked Combatants
The Release of UFC Fight Lineup for Saudi Arabia Features Previous Champion and Nine Ranked Combatants
The UFC is making a return to Saudi Arabia on February 1. It appears that Dana White and Turki Alalshikh have managed to agree on the type of card suitable for Riyadh Season, as this event will mark the start of their relations in 2025.
The headlining bout will showcase former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya facing off against Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya currently ranks No. 3, while Imavov is ranked No. 4.
The victor of this matchup is likely to be just one victory away from contending for the title. Dricus du Plessis will defend his title against Sean Strickland in a rematch at UFC 312 in Australia later in February.
Adesanya is currently on a two-fight losing streak. He lost his middleweight title to Strickland in a lackluster performance in September 2023 and was subsequently stopped by du Plessis in August.
A third consecutive defeat would place the potential future Hall of Famer in a precarious position.
Imavov, on the other hand, is on an upward trajectory. He has won his last four fights. His most recent victory came against Brendan Allen in September, as he secured a unanimous decision win. While his fighting style may not be particularly crowd-pleasing, he is a proven winner aiming to breakthrough to the next level.
The co-main event has the potential to be a striking enthusiast's dream, as Shara Magomedov takes on Michael "Venom" Page. Familiarity with similar bouts allows us to anticipate whether we'll witness something spectacular or a tactical, low-action bout that leaves the casual fans bored.
Regardless of what unfolds, it's undoubtedly a fight that looks promising on paper. Besides the main event, the card will feature a former champion and nine fighters ranked in one of the UFC's divisions.
According to ESPN, here is the proposed bout order:
- (3) Israel Adesanya vs. (4) Nassourdine Imavov - Middleweight
- (14) Shara Magomedov vs. (15 at WW) Michael Page - Middleweight
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. André Muniz - Middleweight
- (4) Sergei Pavlovich vs. (9) Jairzinho Rozenstruik - Heavyweight
- Muhammadjon Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli - Featherweight
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira - Bantamweight
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues - Heavyweight
- Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis - Lightweight
- (12) Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. (6 at WBW) Mayra Bueno Silva - Flyweight
- (14) Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen - Heavyweight
- Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander - Featherweight
- Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović - Lightweight
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Jordan Leavitt - Lightweight
Prior to UFC Saudi Arabia, the number one MMA promotion in the world makes its return to its home base for UFC Vegas 101 at The Apex.
Despite many fans disliking The Apex, it will be met with open arms after an absence of three weeks, albeit only for one weekend.
A strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas is scheduled as the main event. The two women confronted each other in 2019, with Ribas emerging the victor via unanimous decision.
Since then, Dern has surpassed her in the rankings, moving up to No. 6, while Ribas stands at No. 9.
Below is the complete list of fighters who will make their return to UFC weekly events in 2025:
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas - Strawweight
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Carlston Harris - Welterweight
- Abdul Razak Alhassan vs. César Almeida - Middleweight
- Chris Curtis vs. Roman Kopylov - Middleweight
- Austin Bashi vs. Christian Rodriguez - Featherweight
- Punahele Soriano vs. Uroš Medić - Welterweight
- Jose Johnson vs. Felipe Bunes - Flyweight
- Marco Túlio vs. Ihor Potieria - Middleweight
- Thiago Moisés vs. Trey Ogden - Lightweight
- Andreas Gustafsson vs. Preston Parsons - Welterweight
- Ernesta Kareckaite vs. Nicolle Caliari - Flyweight
- Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Bruno Lopes - Light Heavyweight
- Viktoriia Dudakova vs. Fatima Kline - Strawweight
- Nurullo Aliev vs. Yanal Ashmouz - Lightweight
- Fans excitedly await the UFC 312 event in Australia, where Dricus du Plessis will defend his title against Sean Strickland in a highly anticipated rematch.
- UFC news continues to buzz with excitement as the promotion confirms Turki Alalshikh and Dana White have planned multiple UFC events in Saudi Arabia, starting with UFC 312 in 2025.
- UFC 311, scheduled earlier in February 2025, takes place outside Saudi Arabia and features several noteworthy bouts, including Israel Adesanya's prior title defense against Sean Strickland.
- The UFC schedule for the year 2025 includes UFC 311, UFC 312, and UFC Saudi Arabia, offering fans a diverse range of thrilling matchups featuring top-ranked fighters like Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov.