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UFC Saudi Arabia Loses Main Card Fight Due To Passport Issues

The lineup for UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1 has taken a hit after middleweight André Muniz ran into passport issues while attempting to fly to the Middle East. After closing out its short January schedule with a memorable UFC 311 pay-per-view in Los Angeles, the mixed martial arts leader will hit the road to […]

The lineup for UFC Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1 has taken a hit after middleweight André Muniz ran into passport issues while attempting to fly to the Middle East.

After closing out its short January schedule with a memorable UFC 311 pay-per-view in Los Angeles, the mixed martial arts leader will hit the road to kick off February at Riyadh’s anb Arena next weekend.

Headlining UFC Saudi Arabia will be former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya as he looks to bounce back at the expense of rising contender Nassourdine Imavov. Plenty of intrigue also surrounds the co-main event, in which the unbeaten Shara Magomedov will welcome Michael “Venom” Page to the division for a one-off outing at 185 pounds.

Beyond those contests, a fairly deep UFC Saudi Arabia card was put together. But as has already been the case in 2025, no lineup is safe from late blows.

In this instance, a middleweight clash between the formerly ranked Muniz and last year’s headliner in Saudi Arabia, Ikram Aliskerov, has fallen through. The Brazilian took to Instagram on Sunday to reveal that an unexpected issue with his passport prevented travel to Riyadh.

Both men are now off the card, with Muniz noting that the UFC intends on rebooking the fight for a later date.

“Unfortunately, neither I nor my team, nor the UFC, knew about this in time to let us know, and I haven’t been able to go through the entire process to get this document yet,” Muniz said in Portuguese (h/t MMA Junkie). “The UFC thought it would be better to reschedule my fight with the same opponent, but it took another date. I’m waiting for you to set the date right away, and that’s it.”

The news further delays Muniz’s long-awaited return. The submission specialist hasn’t competed since December 2023, when he outpointed JunYong Park to rebound from a two-fight losing skid.

Aliskerov, meanwhile, was hoping for redemption in the Middle East on Feb. 1 after falling to a first-round knockout in his late-notice main event against Robert Whittaker seven months ago.

With this cancellation, the current lineup for UFC Saudi Arabia next Saturday is as follows:

Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michael Page
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli
Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen
Damir Hadzovic vs. Terrance McKinney
Mike Davis vs. Fares Ziam
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Lucas Alexander vs. Bogdan Grad
Abdul-Kerim Al-Selwady vs. Bolaji Oki

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards. With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week. Between Monday, October 21, and Sunday, October […]

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia at MMA News.

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, October 21, and Sunday, October 27, a number of fights were made official by the promotion or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:

But it wasn’t all positive, with two fights falling through. For those, see below:

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia at MMA News.

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia at MMA News.

MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

With events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

Between Monday, October 21, and Sunday, October 27, a number of fights were made official by the promotion or reported by reputable sources. For those matchups, check out the list below:

But it wasn’t all positive, with two fights falling through. For those, see below:

Continue Reading UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Ikram Aliskerov Returns In Saudi Arabia at MMA News.

Ikram Aliskerov issues statement after KO loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘No excuses’

Ikram Aliskerov says he has no regrets about stepping up on short notice to face Robert Whittaker in the…

Ikram Aliskerov says he has no regrets about stepping up on short notice to face Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia.

Aliskerov stepped up on just over a week’s notice to face Whittaker after he was supposed to fight Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 95 the week prior. But, after Khamzat Chimaev was forced out of the bout, Aliskerov jumped at the chance to fight the former champ.

However, Ikram Aliskerov suffered a first-round knockout loss to Robert Whittaker. Although Aliskerov suffered a rather one-sided loss, he issued a statement saying he has no regrets over his decision.

Alhamdulilla, no excuses. I don’t regret anything. It was a big experience against one of the best in the sport. I'm young, I'll work on my mistakes , learn and get back into business soon.Thank to everyone for support messages.

— ikram_aliskerov (@ikram_aliskerov) June 23, 2024

“Alhamdulilla, no excuses. I don’t regret anything. It was a big experience against one of the best in the sport. I’m young, I’ll work on my mistakes , learn and get back into business soon. Thank to everyone for support messages,” Aliskerov wrote on X.

Although Aliskerov did lose, as he says he stepped up on short notice to fight one of the best middleweights in the world in Whittaker, which was a good experience for him.

As well, this was only Aliskerov’s third fight in the UFC, so he still has plenty of time to work his way back up the middleweight ranks.

Dana White said no one wanted to fight Ikram Aliskerov before UFC Saudi Arabia

Before taking the fight against Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia, Ikram Aliskerov was 2-0 in the UFC with two first-round knockout wins.

Given how dominant Aliskerov was looking, UFC CEO Dana White said no one wanted to fight him except for Whittaker who had no issue taking the fight at UFC Saudi Arabia.

“This guy would’ve been the co-main event last weekend. He had a full camp. He came in. Khamzat (Chimaev) calls this guy one of the toughest fights he’s ever had and Whittaker made it look easy tonight. He looked like a stud,” White said after UFC Saudi Arabia, via MMAJunkie.

With the loss to Whittaker, Aliskerov is now 15-2 as a pro and is 2-1 in the UFC.

Robert Whittaker ready for redemption against Du Plessis and Adesanya after brutal Aliskerov knockout

After making a statement against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker is ready for a bit of redemption….

After making a statement against Ikram Aliskerov in Saudi Arabia, Robert Whittaker is ready for a bit of redemption.

Stepping inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for a scrap with one of the middleweight division’s most exciting prospects, ‘The Reaper’ delivered a highlight-reel-worthy finish in the opening round, blasting Aliskerov with a right hand followed by a KO-inducing uppercut less than two minutes into the scrap.

OH MY GOODNESS! ROBERT WHITTAKER KNOCKS OUT IKRAM ALISKEROV IN THE FIRST ROUND!#UFCSaudiArabia #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/I6FoXv0rBQ

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) June 22, 2024

With the victory, Whittaker is right back in the title picture at 185 and will be setting his sights on the upcoming clash between reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 in August.

With ‘Stillknocks’ and the ‘Stylebender’ being the only two men to have beaten Whittaker in the last decade, ‘The Reaper’ has redemption on his mind. Particularly when it comes to Du Plessis, a man Whittaker believes he is truly better than.

“Look at the paperwork. Since that fight, I’ve only improved,’ Whittaker said, referring to his UFC 290 fight with DDP during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I’m not saying if I was on I would’ve beaten him. I’m not going to take that away from him,” Whittaker said. “He turned up on the day and beat me fair and square, and now he’s the world champion because of it; he’s a good fighter and he’s good at what he does.

“But I know I can do better. Will I beat him? Maybe he gets his hand raised again. But I know I can do better and I know I didn’t put my best foot forward in that fight, and I want to run it back because of that.”

Israel Adesanya is still on Robert Whittaker’s hit list

Of course, Robert Whittaker hasn’t forgotten about Israel Adesanya. Coming up short against the former two-time titleholder on two separate occasions, ‘Bobby Knuckles’ believes he’s more than ready to finally solve the puzzle and establish himself as the best middleweight in the world.

“Adesanya is still on that list. My goal in mixed martial arts is to live up to my own potential. That’s the only thing I want to achieve. I know how good I am. I’m the most dangerous middleweight on the planet, and everyone knows that. But they are big shoes to fill.

“That’s the only thing I ask for before I step in the Octagon, to live up to my own potential. Tonight, I think I did that.”

After suffering a second-round knockout against Adesanya at UFC 243, ‘The Reaper’ put on a much stronger showing in their 2022 rematch, though the ‘Stylebender’ still went home with his gold via a unanimous decision.

Whittaker truly feels that the third time will be the charm, and with Adesanya’s return to the Octagon right around the corner, he could be closer than ever to finally bagging that elusive third fight against his Nigerian nemesis.

Khamzat Chimaev warns Robert Whittaker after brutal KO win at UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘We are not done’

Despite his withdrawal from a scheduled UFC Saudi Arabia headliner with former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker tonight amid an…

Despite his withdrawal from a scheduled UFC Saudi Arabia headliner with former middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker tonight amid an apparent “violent” illness battle, unbeaten contender, Khamzat Chimaev claims his rivalry with the victor is far from over.

Remaining in the main event of tonight’s first trip to Riyadh for the organization, former undisputed middleweight titleholder, Whittaker made short work of replacement opponent, common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov.

Launching a blistering barrage on the Dagestani striker, Robert Whittaker felled Aliskerov at the Octagon fence early in the opening round, before forcing a stoppage for a first round knockout – handing the Russian his first loss in seven fights, and landing his first finish in seven years to boot.

Labelling himself as the “boogeyman” at 185lbs off the back of his emphatic knockout win over Aliskerov, Whittaker welcomed the chance to feature as the backup fighter to the UFC 305 headliner in August, as former opponents, Dricus du Plessis takes on Israel Adesanya.

Khamzat Chimaev takes aim at Robert Whittaker

However, receiving a warning from unbeaten starlet, Chimaev, Whittaker was reminded that whilst they failed to compete in the Middle East, the former still has sights set on settling their differences in the future.

“Congratulations @robwhittakermma we are not done!” Khamzat Chimaev posted on his official X account, as translated from Russian by Google. “I wish you a speedy recovery @ikram_aliskerov keep your head up my brother.”

Sidelined through a reported bout of “food poisoning” – Chimaev’s future in the promotion remains up in the air, with promotional CEO, Dana White explaining how every time the Chechnya finisher gets close to fighting, he’s struck with injury or illness.

“I saw this kid (Khamzat Chimaev)on ‘Fight Island’, he wanted to fight the next weekend,” Dana White said. “I let him fight the next weekend. He looked incredible. He’s been on this tear and lately, it’s been hard to get him into the Octagon.”

“Every time he gets close to fighting, he get’s really sick,” White continued. “I don’t know [how long it’s going to be before he fights again]. I don’t know what to say. It’s not like he’s over here in this country [United States], and we’ve had doctors here look at him or anything like that. He’s sort of out of touch, so it’s tough to deal with.”

Do you still want to see Robert Whittaker take on Khamzat Chimaev?