Tag: UFC Saudi Arabia

Report – Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov in the works for Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1

Report - Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov in the works for Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1Israel Adesanya is back! According to a report from knockoutalerts on Instagram, a scrap between ‘The Last Stylebender’ and…

Report - Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov in the works for Fight Night card in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1

Israel Adesanya is back!

According to a report from knockoutalerts on Instagram, a scrap between ‘The Last Stylebender’ and Nassourdine Imavov is in the works to headline the UFC’s second event in Saudi Arabia on February 1. MMAMania.com’s Alex Behunin confirmed that Adesanya vs. Imavov is the planned main event for the promotion’s return to Riyadh, though he noted that contracts have not yet been signed.

Adesanya will be coming off back-to-back losses for the first time in his mixed martial arts career, suffering a decisive decision defeat against Sean Strickland at UFC 293 before falling in the fourth round against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305 in August.

The ‘Stylebender’ has competed in 12 straight UFC championship bouts dating back to April 2019. If his clash with Imavov does come to fruition, it will be Adesanya’s first non-title fight since a win over Anderson Silva at UFC 234.

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Imavov gunning for the biggest win of his career against Israel Adesanya

Since a loss to Sean Strickland in January 2023, Imavov has been on a roll, scoring a trio of wins against Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. Overall, the ‘Russian Sniper’ is 15-4 in his mixed martial arts career and currently sits as the No. 5 ranked middleweight contender in the UFC.

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A victory over Adesanya would undoubtedly be the biggest of his career, thrusting him toward the top of the contender’s list and setting the stage for his first shot at UFC gold.

Thus far, four other bouts have been lined up for the UFC’s return to Saudi Arabia. They include:

  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz
  • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
  • Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues
  • Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page
  • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
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Mayra Bueno Silva Set For Flyweight Return, Meets Ranked Contender At UFC Saudi Arabia

Former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva is heading back down to 125 pounds. Bueno Silva (10-4-1, 1 NC) went 2-2-1 in her first stint as a flyweight in the UFC, defeating Gillian Robertson and Mara Romero Borella but suffering defeats to Maryna Moroz and Manon Fiorot. She subsequently shifted to 135 pounds […]

Former UFC women’s bantamweight title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva is heading back down to 125 pounds.

Bueno Silva (10-4-1, 1 NC) went 2-2-1 in her first stint as a flyweight in the UFC, defeating Gillian Robertson and Mara Romero Borella but suffering defeats to Maryna Moroz and Manon Fiorot. She subsequently shifted to 135 pounds and enjoyed strong success, going undefeated all the way to a shot at the then-vacant title at UFC 297 this past January.

But after missing out on achieving champion status against Raquel Pennington, “Sheetara” fell to her first UFC losing skid when a severe cut was deemed too deep for her to continue against Macy Chiasson at UFC 303 during International Fight Week this past June.

The 0-2 run in 2024 has evidently been enough for Bueno Silva to contemplate a change, and she’s now set to make her flyweight return at the UFC Fight Night scheduled for Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1.

That news was first reported by Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight, who also revealed that Bueno Silva will immediately shoot for the 125-pound rankings against Jasmine Jasudavicius (12-3).

Jasudavicius has risen to #13 on the flyweight ladder courtesy of three straight wins since a defeat to Tracy Cortez in September 2023. The Canadian defeated Fatima Kline by decision in-between two home wins over Priscila Cachoeira and Ariane Lipski da Silva this year.

With this addition, the current fights expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 1, 2025 are as follows:

  • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz (middleweight)
  • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva (women’s flyweight)
  • Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues (heavyweight

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik Set For UFC’s Second Saudi Arabia Event

UFC heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich will have the chance for redemption when he returns to Saudi Arabia early next year. Pavlovich (18-3) fell to the first losing skid of his career last time out in Riyadh, where his former training partner Alexander Volkov stifled his power en route to a comfortable unanimous decision victory. That […]

Continue Reading Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik Set For UFC’s Second Saudi Arabia Event at MMA News.

UFC heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich will have the chance for redemption when he returns to Saudi Arabia early next year.

Pavlovich (18-3) fell to the first losing skid of his career last time out in Riyadh, where his former training partner Alexander Volkov stifled his power en route to a comfortable unanimous decision victory.

That result followed a short-notice interim title defeat to Tom Aspinall last November at Madison Square Garden, where Pavlovich’s championship hopes were dashed by way of knockout in the very first round.

With that, the Russian’s streak of six straight first-round finishes and impressive performance against Curtis Blaydes have become a distant memory. But, he will look to change that and remind the division of his brutal power in 2025.

Per MMA Mania’s Alex Behunin, the #4-ranked contender will return to the Kingdom Arena on Feb. 1, 2025, this time to throw down with Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-5).

While Pavlovich will ride a losing skid into the contest, Rozenstruik is currently on his first win streak since having his undefeated record blemished by Francis Ngannou back in May 2020.

“Bigi Boy” went on an inconsistent run in the years that followed before finally stringing together wins this year with a knockout triumph over Shamil Gaziev and split decision against Tai Tuivasa.

Having cemented his spot inside the heavyweight top 10 in 2024, the Surinamese knockout artist will have the chance to return to title contention with a big performance opposite Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik Set For UFC’s Second Saudi Arabia Event at MMA News.

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

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.

Robert Whittaker says Khamzat Chimaev ‘Dodged a bullet’ with fight exit: ‘I would have starched him as well’

Robert Whittaker claims Khamzat Chimaev dodged a bullet I would've starched him as wellFormer undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claimshe would have knocked out the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev if they shared the…

Robert Whittaker claims Khamzat Chimaev dodged a bullet I would've starched him as well

Former undisputed middleweight champion, Robert Whittaker claimshe would have knocked out the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev if they shared the Octagon last weekend – believing the Chechen-finisher “dodged a bullet” with his withdrawal from their pairing.

Whittaker, the current number three ranked middleweight contender, headlined UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia last weekend against common-foe, Ikram Aliskerov – in a reworked bout after the above-mentioned Chimaev was forced from the clash due to a “violent” illness.

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And dispatching the surging Aliskerov with a dominant opening round knockout win in Riyadh, Whittaker welcomed the chance to fight Chimaev in a reworked clash at the end of this year – however, urged him to settle down with his threats to see him soon. 

Robert Whittaker confident of knocking out Khamzat Chimaev

Furthermore, discussing his failed fight with the Chechen contender, Auckland favorite, Whittaker revealed he believes the former likely would have suffered similar fate as Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia – if he made it to fight night.

Khamzat Chimaev picked to land KO win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia he's got power

“I was pretty primed and ready,” Robert Whittaker told MMA Fighting “I am 99 percent sure I would have starched Khamzat (Chimaev) as well. Our paths may cross one day in the division, as guys at the top of the game, but he dodged a bullet that night, that’s for sure.”

“… Like I said, I’m a middleweight, if he’s a middleweight – because I know he fights at welterweight sometimes as well – if we’re both at the top of the game, our paths may cross,” Robert Whittaker explained. “I didn’t duck you. I didn’t not sign the contract to fight you.”

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With his win over Aliskerov, Whittaker turned in his second victory of the year, after landing a competitive unanimous decision win over former title challenger, Paulo Costa at UFC 298 in Anaheim.

Who wins in a potential fight: Robert Whittaker or Khamzat Chimaev?