This Saturday, February 1st, a new fighting tournament will take place in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) featuring the UFC . A correspondent from Vesti.kz shares the key details you need to know before the event kicks off.
For the second time in history and the first since June 2024, the world’s top league returns to Saudi Arabia. While this is not a numbered event, it promises several truly exciting matchups that fans from around the globe will be eager to watch.
The event will feature a total of 11 bouts - 10 men's fights and one women's fight. The card is set to begin at 7:00 PM Kazakhstan time.
In the main event, a former champion faces a sparring partner of Rakhmonov
The headliners of the tournament will be top middleweights - former promotion champion Israel Adesanya (24-4), currently ranked second among contenders, and fifth-ranked Nassourdine Imavov (15-4-0-1).
The 35-year-old Adesanya is experiencing a losing streak for the first time in his career. In September 2023, he lost a decision to American fighter Sean Strickland , and in August, he was submitted for the first time in his life against champion Dricus Du Plessis .
The 29-year-old Imavov, originally from Dagestan (Russia), represents France. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak, having defeated Roman Dolidze , Jared Cannonier , and Brendan Allen .
Interestingly, prior to this fight, Imavov trained at Kill Cliff FC in Miami (Florida, USA), where he sparred with Kazakhstan star Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0).
Will training with Shavkat help Nassourdine achieve the biggest victory of his career? We will find out tomorrow evening. The approximate start time for the main event is 12:00 AM Kazakhstan time.
Ronaldo will be in the stands for the co-main event
None other than Cristiano Ronaldo will be watching the UFC tournament from the front row, largely due to the co-main event featuring one of his favorite fighters - Russian Sharabutdin Magomedov , known to fans as Sharu Bullet (15-0).
One of the most exciting strikers in the promotion will face another well-known fighter, whose striking technique is admired by the entire fighting world. This is none other than Michael Page (22-3).
The 30-year-old Shara has achieved four consecutive victories in the UFC, with his last fight resulting in a historic knockout via double backfist against Armen Petrosyan (9-4). Let’s take a moment to remember that:
As for the 37-year-old Page, he has fought only twice in the league since transitioning from Bellator . He first won a decision against Kevin Holland but later lost to Ian Garry , the same fighter who lasted 25 minutes in the cage with Rakhmonov.
This bout is anticipated to exceed expectations, even more than the main event. Will it live up to the hype? We'll find out tomorrow. The fight is set to begin around 11:30 PM Kazakhstan time.
Nurmagomedov and former contender. Who else will fight in Riyadh?
In the third most significant bout of the evening, top heavyweight fighters will clash - fourth-ranked Sergey Pavlovich (18-3) from Russia will face ninth-ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5) from Suriname. Just two fights ago, Pavlovich was competing for the interim UFC championship. Currently, he is on a two-fight losing streak, while Rozenstruik is on a two-fight winning streak.
On the main card, lightweight fighter from Russia Said Nurmagomedov (18-3) will also compete against Brazilian Vinicius Oliveira (21-3). The 32-year-old Said is not related to Khabib Nurmagomedov , although he is also from Dagestan. He will be fighting in the UFC for the tenth time (7-2). His 29-year-old opponent holds a record of 2-0 in the promotion.
Other top representatives from their divisions include Canadian Jasmine Jasudavicius (No. 12 in women's flyweight) and Bahrain's Shamil Gaziev (No. 14 in heavyweight). Their fights will take place on the preliminary card of the tournament.
Live broadcast of the UFC tournament: where and when?
The UFC tournament in Riyadh will be broadcast live on the following channels:
- Setanta Sports 2: five main card fights (starting at 10:00 PM);
- "Match! Fighter": all 11 fights of the tournament (starting at 7:00 PM);
- "Match TV": the last prelim fights and the entire main card (starting at 9:15 PM).
Additionally, a live stream of all fights will be available through paid subscriptions:
- UFC Fight Pass;
- "KinoPoisk", section "Sports".
Photo: IG/imavov_nassourdine, X/Kem_maka©️