The main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov won’t be the only huge middleweight fight toward the top of the UFC Saudi Arabia lineup.
The Octagon is set to touch down in Riyadh for the second time on Feb. 1, 2025. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed the headliner between Adesanya and Imavov in a social media video this week, alongside an intriguing co-main event that should excite striking fans.
After Red Corner MMA first reported that Shara Magomedov had agreed to meet welterweight contender Michael “Venom” Page in a clash between two of MMA’s most dangerous and exciting standup fighters, White officially announced the UFC Saudi Arabia matchup. Page previously expressed interest in this bout following Magomedov’s latest win, stating that he’d be happy to compete at middleweight.
This fight at UFC Saudi Arabia sees “MVP” move to 185 pounds after fighting twice inside the Octagon at welterweight. The former Bellator star has gone 1-1 since debuting in the UFC earlier this year. A decisive win over Kevin Holland in March was followed by a decision loss to Ian Garry at UFC 303, where the Irishman lent on his grappling ability to secure the victory.
Magomedov, meanwhile, has been incredible value for money since his arrival in the promotion last year, winning four in a row to obtain a top 15 ranking next to his name at 185 pounds. In his toughest test to date, “Bullet” secured his third consecutive Performance of the Night bonus by knocking out Armen Petrosyan with a double spinning backfist at UFC 308 last month.
With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at UFC Saudi Arabia are as follows:
- Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov (middleweight main event)
- Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page (middleweight co-main event)
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (middleweight)
- Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira (bantamweight)
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues (heavyweight)
- Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander (featherweight)
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Jordan Leavitt (lightweight)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (women’s flywight)
- Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen (heavyweight)
- Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli (featherweight)
- Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović (lightweight)
