Nassourdine Imavov stunningly knocked out Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia to extend the former two-time middleweight champion’s losing streak to three.
The in-form Frenchman slept the Nigerian-born New Zealander in two rounds to stamp his mark as the future of the division, condemning Adesanya to defeat in a fight that felt must win for the 35-year-old.
All eyes will now be on the main event of UFC 312 which sees Sean Strickland challenge Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight strap, with Imavov insistent that Saturday’s win should put him next in line.
Elsewhere, Michael “Venom” Page handed Shara Magomedov his first loss in an upset victory, which saw the London welterweight move up a weight class. ‘MVP’ put on an assured display to overcome the Dagestan fighter in a unanimous decision victory.
Relive the action from UFC Saudi Arabia, below.
UFC Saudi Arabia LIVE
- Nassourdine Imavov stunningly knocks out Israel Adesanya in statement victory
- Former two-time champion Adesanya is now on a three-fight losing streak
- Michael 'Venom' Page hands Shara Magomedov first loss
- Sergei Pavlovich returns to win column with victory over Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Full results from UFC Saudi Arabia
22:00 , Will CastleNassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via second-round knockout (overhand right and ground strikes, 0:30)
Michael ‘Venom’ Page def. Shara Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen via first-round knockout (right hook, 3:12)
Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via first-round TKO (ground strikes, 2:01)
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander via second-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:22)
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Imavov and MVP both win big in Riyadh
21:40 , Will CastleUFC Saudi Arabia bonuses revealed
21:20 , Will CastleWithout a Doubt! 💰@Imavov1 and @Bogdan_Grad both earned POTN!
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ #UFCSaudiArabia | @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/xAlS6REuh8
Back & Forth at Bantamweight 👏@SaidUFC & @LokDogVinicius both earn the FOTN bonus! 👊
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ B2YB: @ToyoTires | #UFCSaudiArabia ]
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/BpWiy9iPtl
Imavov stakes his claim for middleweight gold
20:40 , Will Castle“There is no doubt that I’m worth the belt,” Imavov said.
“Four victories in one year, two top fives, two top tens, two finishes - the record speaks for itself.
“The real bonus for me is going to fight for the belt.”
Imavov gives lesson on pronunciation
20:35 , Will CastleNassourdine Imavov is not having anyone mispronouncing his name anymore as he eyes up title glory in the UFC.
“My name is Imavov,” he said in his parting message from the cage. “Not Imamom, Imamoo - it’s Im-av-ov.”
Special guests in Riyadh
20:20 , Will CastleCristiano Ronaldo was in the stands alongside Saudi Arabia’s boxing kingpin Turki Al-Sheikh for tonight’s card.
Welcome to the show, @Cristiano 👋
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ #UFCSaudiArabia | @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/GE5dBadmBk
All eyes on UFC 312
20:11 , Will CastleNassourdine Imavov will be fully focussed on who comes out of UFC 312 on top as Sean Strickland challenges Dricus du Plessis for the middleweight title.
He’ll feel that he deserves the next shot after tonight’s stunning KO victory over one of the best, most dominant champions in the division’s history.
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:46 , Will CastleIzzy wasn’t happy with the stoppage at first, smacking the ground in frustration.
But he seems to have taken the defeat graciously, showing his appreciation to the Saudi crowd after recovering.
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:45 , Will CastleNassourdine Imavov has taken out arguably the greatest middleweight of all time.
No surprise he’s asking for a title shot.
“The real bonus for me is going to fight for the belt,” he says.
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:42 , Will CastleRound two
Imavov catches Izzy with a jab before BANG - a MASSIVE overhand right DROPS Adesanya!
He follows up with a heavy left against the cage and that’s all she wrote!
One shot and he’s a legend killer. The biggest moment in Nassourdine Imavov’s career so far.
Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya via second-round knockout (overhand right and ground strikes, 0:30)
What a win. A statement to the middleweight division.
OVER IN AN INSTANT 😳@Imavov1 wins by Round 2 TKO at #UFCSaudiArabia!
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/pHEhFFNqSl
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:37 , Will CastleRound one
Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov, booked in five rounds. Let’s do this.
Heavy leg kick lands from Izzy to start things off, but Imavov isn’t backing away. He clips Adesanya with a left before going for the double leg - well-defended not once but twice by the former champ.
Adesanya throws the overhand, misses but clips Imavov with his elbow as he brings his arm back.
Imavov responds with a combination - that doesn’t land properly, but what does connect is a vicious upper cut that snaps Izzy’s head back! Imavov has him up against the fence but Izzy returns with a nice right hook and survives.
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:28 , Will CastleIsrael Adesanya is partial to an outlandish, anime-inspired walkout - but without the belt, there’s no glitz, glamour or special choreography in his entrance.
He’s all business.
Preview: Adesanya may never fight for UFC gold again if he can't pass Imavov test
19:24 , Will CastleNow fighting for contendership instead of gold, a win tonight is a must if Adesanya intends to become the UFC’s first three-time middleweight champion.
Anything else will cast him further away from the title picture and could even spell retirement. His route back to the throne is anything but easy, and his test against Imavov could prove telling.
Full preview of tonight’s main event:
Adesanya may never fight for a UFC title again if he can’t pass Imavov test
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
19:22 , Will CastleIt’s time for your main event! Israel Adesanya faces Nassourdine Imavov in a crucial middleweight clash.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will try to halt a two-fight losing streak as he takes on the in-form Frenchman. The Nigerian-born New Zealander is in a must-win situation, having surrendered the title to Sean Strickland in a major upset in 2023, before failing to reclaim the gold from current champ Dricus Du Plessis.
He’ll overcome Imavov, who is getting really getting the taste for the main event now. On a three-fight tear, the Frenchman soaked up home adulation last time out as he ground out a decision win over Brendan Allen in Paris, shooting him to fifth in the middleweight rankings.
Far more in-form than Adesanya, Imavov is vying for title contention for the first time, and the 28-year-old will be desperate to add a divisional great to his resume. For Adesanya, a loss here could cast him away from the title picture for good.
No change on which weight MVP is focussing on
19:20 , Will CastleEven after doing what no middleweight has done and beaten Shara Magomedov, MVP has confirmed in his post-fight interview that he intends to return to welterweight - for now.
“Look at me, look at me - I am the captain now,” he said.
“I need to practice a bit more at this weight, but I’ve got some work to do at 170lbs. Make sure you’re watching, because I’m coming.”
Up a weight class & got the W! 👊@MichaelPage247 wins by UD at #UFCSaudiArabia!
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/ma3aIge3JZ
Shara Magomedov vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
19:15 , Will CastleRound three
MVP eats an early leg kick but responds by snapping Shara’s head back with a jab. The Londoner has looked really sharp up a weight class.
Venom fires another right hand against the head of Shara, who dummied the flying knee. It’s then MVP who goes for the knee, he doesn’t get all of it but it has Shara covering up.
One minute to go and finally Magomedov begins to land some headshots. He needs a finish here. MVP wildly misses with an overhand before Shara charges in. He connects with an elbow but misses the following headkick.
Final ten seconds and MVP slips going for a spinning wheel kick - he’s on the deck but he’s joined by Shara, where he holds him for the remainder of the fight. We go to the judges...
Michael ‘Venom’ Page def. Shara Magomedov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Up a weight class? No problem for Venom! An assured display and just like that, he’s taken away Shara Magomedov’s zero.
Shara Magomedov vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
19:06 , Will CastleRound two
Another overhand right lands from MVP to start the second - the pace he releases those shots seems almost undefendable.
Shara looks to respond with fierce leg kicks but Venom is doing really well at getting his legs out of the way. Magomedov is trying to enter that range where he can do proper damage.
However, just when Shara closes the distance enough, MVP grabs a hold of him and gets him against the cage, nullifying any immediate threat.
The second ends and it’s MVP on top. Shara ‘Bullet’ could be on the verge of losing his zero.
Shara Magomedov vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
19:00 , Will CastleRound one
Here we go. This should be spectacular.
‘Shara’ chants ring around the arena as both fighters measure each other up. Shara chopping the wood early on but it’s MVP who flies in with first major strikes, sending Shara stumbling to the ground with an overhand right.
Another attempted overhand misses wildly from MVP and nearly allows Shara to take the neck. MVP escapes and evades, and is back with that bursting right later in the round. This one connects.
The pair end the round by trading spinning attacks - Shara misses with his back fist, before Venom connects with a back kick.
An enjoyable first five minutes, MVP’s corner will be encouraged.
Interview: ‘MVP’ sees Magomedov as ‘tailor made’ for KO
18:48 , Will CastleAs the fighters make their way out, here’s what Michael ‘Venom’ Page had to tell us ahead of his exciting co-main event clash with Shara Magomedov.
We spoke to the London welterweight about why he’s moving up to 185lb for this fight, his feelings on his loss to Ian Machado Garry last year, and why he is confident of a KO over Magomedov.
‘MVP’ sees Shara Magomedov as ‘tailor-made’ opponent for UFC Saudi KO
Shara Magomedov vs Michael ‘Venom’ Page
18:45 , Will CastleCo-main event time. And what a co-main we’ve got in store.
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov takes on Michael ‘Venom’ Page in a striking matchup to savour.
Both are capable of producing awe-inspiring knockouts – you only need to look at Magomedov’s last outing, where he finished Armen Petrosyan with a double spinning backfist.
MVP will meanwhile look to bounce back from defeat to Ian Machado Garry as he makes a reportedly brief move up to middleweight – hoping to hand Shara ‘Bullet’ his first professional loss.
Two human highlight reels are about to go at it. Get the popcorn, this is going to be something out of Street Fighter.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
18:44 , Will CastleRound three
The third round starts in the same vein as the first two, with both unwilling to throw heavy shots in the first minute.
However, we get a glimpse of drama as Pavlovich connects with a combination before Rozenstruik retaliates with a sharp left that gets through. Pavlovich then lands another warhead, eaten by Bigi Boy, before the fight goes to the ground.
Once again, Pavlovich has top control and is doing diligent work, throwing enough ground and pound to prevent the referee from resetting.
The pair return to the feet for the final 30 seconds engage in late fisticuffs, but no-one gets slept. The fight goes the distance.
Sergei Pavlovich def. Jairzinho Rozenstruik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Not the clash of heavyweights we were exactly expecting, but it puts Pavlovich back in the win column. Safe to say that victory won’t do much for his stock, though.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
18:34 , Will CastleRound two
Pavlovich is not feeling any need to rush this - to the dismay of the Saudi crowd.
Two minutes pass and there’s very little to speak of. The referee tells the pair to pick things up and immediately Pavlovich connects with a right to DROP Rozenstruik - it only takes one moment!
Bigi Boy isn’t out just yet but is under the cosh as Pavlovich jumps on him. That said, the Russian isn’t desperate to go for the kill and is happy to work on top half guard to see out the round.
Pavlovich is surely two rounds to the good, but this hasn’t been the heavyweight cracker we were hoping for so far.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
18:29 , Will CastleRound one
Quiet first minute as Pavlovich looks to manage his distance, possessing the reach advantage.
Nice right lands from Pavlovich before moving in, swinging jackhammers hoping for that knockout blow. No connection there but the Russian isn’t rushing, taking his time before landing another right.
Boos begin to sound around the anb Arena for inactivity - but as is with heavyweight fights, it only takes one punch for the things to change drastically. Pavlovich lands his heaviest shot of the round to appease the crowd before the pair tumble onto the mat, where they see out the first five minutes.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik
18:15 , Will CastleHere come the heavyweights.
Sergie Pavlovich takes on Jairzinho Rozenstruik looking to re-establish himself as a stone-cold knockout artist.
The big Russian comes into the bout off the back of two disappointing defeats – first to Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight belt, before succumbing to a decision loss to Alexander Volkov.
He faces off against an in-form Rozenstruik, who is comparatively coming into this fight on a two-win streak. A man who has always struggled to break into the upper echelons of the division, now might be a chance for Bigi Boy to truly stamp his mark.
Time for some nuclear warheads to be thrown. A knockout feels guaranteed here.
One Nurmagomedov beaten, Oliveira wants another
18:14 , Will CastleVinicius Oliveira has called out Umar Nurmagomedov after extending his unbeaten run in the UFC against Said Nurmagomedov.
An ambitious call-out from the Brazilian, with Umar just coming off the back of a bantamweight title clash with Merab Dvalishvili.
He also revealed that tonight’s fight was on the verge of being cancelled, with the Brazilian carrying an injury into the bout.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
18:10 , Will CastleRound three
Both guys look exhausted but they just keep throwing. Nurmagomedov tries to connect with an early headkick but slips, taking the fight to the ground.
Oliveira has the edge in the scramble and is keeping Nurmagomedov under control, before spotted an opportunity for submission. He tries to get the choke but can’t get it locked in.
Back on the feet for the final 90 seconds, both men are swinging wildly! Nurmagomedov lands another spinning attack but it’s eaten up by Oliveira. No last-gasp KO to speak of here, we go to the judges.
Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
After that first round, you wouldn’t have been blamed if you wrote Oliveira off. A fantastic, relentless recovery performance from the Brazilian.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
18:00 , Will CastleRound two
Both start the round with more spinning attacks, no big connection though. Nurmagomedov then goes for the takedown with a beautiful entry, strong defence from Oliveira to keep it on the feet.
Oliveira connects with a headkick and evades a spinning backfist attempt before successfully taking Nurmagomedov down.
Back on the feet, the chaos continues as both throw a barrage of overhands looking for that killer blow. They return to scrambling before Oliveira winds up the combinations once more. After only landing four significant strikes in the first, he’s dominated the last five minutes.
Gas tanks are very much beginning to give out. To the third we go.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
17:54 , Will CastleRound one
Nurmagomedov immediately puts Oliveira on the backfoot, landing a number of vicious calf kicks. He then has the Brazilian back-peddling after breaking through the guard with spinning back kick - for a second, it looked like we’d just witnessed a knockout of the year contender.
Oliveira begins to find his feet midway through the round, getting Nurmagomedov up against the cage. But after an eyepoke stunted the flow of the fight, Nurmagomedov burst back on the offensive, flying through the air as he looked to crack a knee off Oliveira’s skull.
Oliveira just evades and gets him down to see out the rest of the round. He’ll up on control time, not so much in terms of damage.
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira
17:43 , Will CastleNext up, Said Nurmagomedov squares off against Vinicius Oliveira at in an ‘old guard versus new’ at bantamweight.
Nurmagomedov returns after a 15-month layoff and will look to derail the early rise of Oliviera, who has made a splash since his debut.
The Brazilian is 2-0 in the UFC and comes off a unanimous decision win over Ricky Simon. A win against Nurmagomedov could be career altering.
An exciting bout that could shuffle the rankings and perhaps have future implications on the title picture.
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
17:40 , Will CastleRound three
Final five minutes of what’s been a fascinating fight so far. Let’s get into it.
Covered in crimson, Ziam and Davis get to the ground early in the third and are grappling near the fence. Ziam butterflies to get back to his feet and when they return to the mat, it’s the Frenchman who’s on top.
He loses his advantageous position when Davis spots an opportunity for a heel hook. Davis goes on to see out the fight with top control, raining down late ground and pound in a Hail Mary effort to prevent an impending loss. The scorecards are in...
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Five in a row for the Frenchman.
That's now a FIVE fight win streak! 🤩@ZiamFares earns a UD victory at #UFCSaudiArabia
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ #RiyadhSeason | @RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/G9HOlu0llT
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
17:30 , Will CastleRound two
Davis starts the second aggressively, looking for the takedown and getting Ziam up against the fence. Ziam shows off great takedown defence to stay on his feet before slicing Davis open from close range.
Davis is bleeding badly, with each fighter now wearing a scarlet mask. Ziam picks up Davis and dumps him back to the ground in a role reversal from the first round, but it’s on the mat where the Frenchman nearly meets his demise.
Davis twists Ziam inside-out and has his knee in a horrific position - other fighters would’ve seen it pop, but Ziam’s flexibility is something to behold. Somehow he survives and ends the round by unleashing ground and pound on Davis.
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
17:23 , Will CastleRound one
Here we go. They get straight to it as Davis moves in and connects with a flurry of body shots. Davis then gets Ziam down and tries to find a razor armlock - Ziam manages to escape.
Back on the feet, Ziam turns aggressor and begins to land shot after shot, mixing up the targets really well. Davis is struggling to keep up but manages to bounce Ziam off the cage before expertly dumping him to the ground, taking the back in the process
Davis ends the round with top control.
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis
17:12 , Will CastleStrap in, the main card is underway!
We kick things off with the lightweight prospects as Frenchman Fares Ziam takes on Flordia’s Mike Davis, with both looking to extend their respective win streaks.
Ziam proved his show-stealing potential in Paris, starching Matt Frevola with a jaw-dropping knee knockout.
Here come the fighters. This should be a banger.
Win over Magomedov 'won't do any favours' for MVP
17:05 , Will CastleMichael ‘Venom’ Page hasn’t shied from admitting his motives for taking a fight up a weight class. In what he’s described as the ‘easiest fight process’ he’s ever had, fighting at middleweight allowed him - above anything else - to have a good Christmas.
As such, tonight’s clash against Shara Magomedov probably won’t have huge implications for his future, as he’s very much unlikely to stay at middleweight. Nevertheless, it doesn’t take away from the fact this fight is going to be an absolute barnstormer.
“This one, for me anyway, is probably not going to do me any favours,” he said after the weigh-in.
“This is just an exciting fight so I’m just going to see it as that. If it gives me favours after, like they want to give me top five next, then it’s the cherry on top.”
UFC Saudi Arabia main card on the way
17:03 , Will CastleThat’s all she wrote for the prelims - it’s time to sink our teeth into the UFC Saudi Arabia main card!
Five eye-catching bouts to come in Riyadh, culminating with a middleweight clash of supreme importance as Israel Adesanya returns to the cage against Nassourdine Imavov.
Stay tuned for live play-by-play updates from every fight this evening.
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
17:02 , Will CastleRound three
Naimov shows off his taekwondo acumen off the bat in the third as he tries to land a spinning attack, Ofli evades.
He then gets Ofli down and secures mount, with the Aussie at risk of succumbing and pound finish. Naimov unloads before taking back, putting him in a perfect opportunity to launch a submission attack with three minutes to go.
Naimov makes the error of allowing Ofli to get back to his feet with a minute to go, giving him the opportunity to throw a Hail Mary. He shoe shines the body with punches but then gets Naimov up against the fence - he’s not going to find a knockout there. It goes to the scorecards...
Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
16:53 , Will CastleRound two
Big shots from Ofli in the opening stages of the second, with Naimov eating a heavy left. Ofli then gets Naimov up against the cage, looking to get his opponent down.
Naimov lands a knee to the liver with the pair in close quarters, before separating and unleashing a flurry of punches, majority of which Ofli evades.
After recovering from a takedown, Ofli once again finds himself up pressing Naimov against the cage - doing so for too long for Marc Goddard’s liking. They get separated as the round draws to a close.
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
16:47 , Will CastleRound one
Quiet first minute before Ofli cracks a kick against the cup of Naimov, forcing a brief stoppage.
Naimov uses just 40 seconds to recover and comes back into the fight with a vengeance, hurting Ofli with a heavy leg kick. Naimov then catches him in a really tight clinch, with the pair up against the fence.
The pair separate as Naimov takes the leg kick to connect the elbow. Brilliant stance switch to land a powerful liver kick before rocking Ofli with a punch. The Aussie could be in trouble here, but he recovers well and is able to get back to his feet.
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli
16:41 , Will CastleTime for our featured prelim of the evening!
Melbourne’s Kaan Ofli squares off against Tajikistan fighter Muhammad Naimov in potential war at featherweight.
Naimov has won six of his last seven fights and loves a finish, with eight of his 11 wins coming via stoppage.
He’s got the support of the Saudi crowd and will hope to keep his momentum against Ofli. Don’t be surprised if this doesn’t go the distance.
Fireworks guaranteed in tonight's co-main event
16:24 , Will CastleFights don’t get too much better than this.
Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov takes on Michael ‘Venom’ Page in tonight’s co-main event - a striking matchup to savour.
Both are capable of producing awe-inspiring knockouts – you only need to look at Magomedov’s last outing, where he finished Armen Petrosyan with a double spinning backfist.
MVP will meanwhile look to bounce back from defeat to Ian Machado Garry as he makes a reportedly brief move up to middleweight – hoping to hand Shara ‘Bullet’ his first professional loss.
This is going to be something out of Street Fighter, and I can’t wait.
Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen
16:19 , Will CastleRound one
Fast start as Gaziev lands a nice elbow early on, with the pair throwing down in the middle of the Octagon within the first 15 seconds.
Things begin to temper before Petersen lands a really nice takedown. He gets Gaziev up against the fence and lands some shots, but Gaziev responds with a fierce hook of his own to get Petersen of his own.
Then BANG! Gaziev starches Petersen with a right jackhammer straight the middle, landing it right on the jaw for the walk-off knockout. And that’s all she wrote.
Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Petersen via first-round knockout (right hook, 3:12)
Brutal finish. Gaziev’s stock is on the rise.
Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen
16:11 , Will CastleThe second of three heavyweight bouts this evening, Shamil Gaziev takes on Thomas Petersen in a clash between two graduates of Dana White’s Contendor Series.
Gaziev has becoming something of a cult favourite among fans and will look to string together a second successive win after getting the decision over Don'Tale Mayes last time out.
In his way is Petersen, also coming into this fight off a win after defeating Mohammed Usman last summer. Another victory here will likely propel him into the top 15, over 14th-ranked Gaziev.
Countdown to the main card
16:03 , Will CastleJust under an hour until the main card gets underway in Riyadh.
A lot to look forward to as Israel Adesanya prepares to fight under non-title circumstances for the first time in nearly six years.
Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic
15:56 , Will CastleRound one
McKinney starts by testing Hadzovic early, as he often does. He throws some big strikes but Hadzovic responds in toe.
Hadzovic then gets caught with some heavy shots before being taken down by McKinney, who has mount. The Bosnian feels the wrath of a couple sharp 12-to-6 elbows and concedes his back, leading to non-stop ground and pound from McKinney, which is enough for the referee to halt the fight!
Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via first-round TKO (ground strikes, 2:01)
Quick business. Same old Terrance McKinney.
GETS IT DONE EARLY 😳@TWrecks155 earns his SIXTH 1st Round stoppage at #UFCSaudiArabia!
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/Nf9NNh2DNO
Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic
15:51 , Will CastleTo the UFC’s deepest division and it’s an exciting lightweight bout as Terrance McKinney squares off against Damir Hadzovic.
McKinney is known for going big or going home, with seven wins in under a minute. He’s the biggest favourite on the card against the Bosnian Bomber.
This probably won’t need all three rounds.
Imavov looking to condemn Adesanya to scrap heap
15:47 , Will CastleOn a three-fight tear, Nassourdine Imavov is getting a taste for the main event now; Saturday’s is his fourth in the UFC, with two of his previous three going down as wins.
Last time out, in September, the Frenchman soaked up home adulation as he ground out a decision win over Brendan Allen in Paris, shooting him to fifth in the middleweight rankings.
Far more in-form than Adesanya, Imavov is vying for title contention for the first time, and the 28-year-old will be desperate to add a divisional great to his resume.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
15:43 , Will CastleRound three
Bueno Silva gets a pretty brutal pep talk from her corner, knowing she needs a finish in the third to have any hope of a win. “This is for diapers for your kids,” her coach says.
The Brazilian needs to stay on her feet and connects with an elbow in the first 90 seconds. However, she then gets rocked by Jasudavicius and is easily brought to the ground.
It feels academic from this point. Jasudavicius has got Bueno Silva tied up and nearly gets the submission, but she’s content with top control. It goes to the scorecards.
Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
A dominant display over a former title challenger. Statement victory from Jasudavicius.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
15:34 , Will CastleRound two
Bueno Silva has a massive swelling above her left eye - given that her last fight ended by a forced doctor stoppage, she’ll hope this doesn’t get any worse.
She tries catching Jasudavicius with a standing guillotine, the American once again escapes.
Jasudavicius ends the round in a similar vein to the first - with top control, chipping away with the ground and pound.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
15:29 , Will CastleRound one
Jasudavicius throws an early low kick as the pair try to find their range. They then trade left hooks before Jasudavicius tries finding success with the one-twos.
The American then gets caught and is in a precarious position, with Bueno Silva looking to lock in the choke. However, she does really well to release the pressure and gains top control - this is her wheelhouse.
Grapples well to see out to round but needs to be aware of Bueno Silva’s submission attempts as the Brazilian looks for loose limbs to snatch.
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva
15:20 , Will CastleWomen’s flyweight action up next as Jasmine Jasudavicius takes on Mayra Bueno Silva - the first ever women’s matchup on a UFC Saudi Arabia card.
The fighters are making their way out as the anb Arena slowly fills up.
Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander
15:10 , Will CastleRound two
Grad secures the takedown and tries to get mount. Both scramble with Grad raining down the ground and pound. He nearly gets the back but Alexander escapes the submission attempt.
Grad then gets full mount and Alexander is in real trouble. A thumping elbow gets through and Grad is just landing shot after shot after shot. Alexander is being beaten up and is unable to fight back, leading the referee to step in!
Bogdan Grad def. Lucas Alexander via second-round TKO (ground strikes, 4:22)
An impressive debut win for Bogan Grad.
Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander
15:03 , Will CastleRound one
Our second prelim is underway as Bogan Grad takes on Lucas Alexander at featherweight.
Grad forces the clinch early on and lands a nice elbow. However, Alexander gets distance and gets an knee through.
Grad gets on the defensive and manages to close the distance again. Ends the round married to the single-leg.
Adesanya not focused on title implications
15:00 , Will CastleWith Israel Adesanya’s successes far outnumbering his failures, he is minded to focus on the rewards of a win over Imavov, not the prospect of a third straight loss – or never regaining the title.
“I’m not thinking like that,” Adesanya told MMA Fighting via Stake.com. “I’m just going in there ready to dominate. I’m not thinking, ‘I don’t want another loss.’
“That’s a weird way to frame it, because [I’d just be] thinking of what I don’t want. [If] you’re tapping into that, ‘Oh, I can’t lose, I can’t lose,’ your brain just recognizes ‘lose, lose, lose’.”
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
14:48 , Will CastleRound three
Pogues looks to be enjoying the better third round here. Finds success shooting for the takedown and is also striking well.
Abdelwahab does boast control time but he’s not doing much damage. It’ll be interesting to see how the judges score this as we go the distance...
Hamdy Abdelwahab def. Jamal Pogues via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Pogues’ jaw is on the floor hearing the decision. He can’t believe it. Abdelwahab remains undefeated.
Nothing like your first UFC victory! 🤩@HamdyAbdelwah wins by split decision to kick off #UFCSaudiArabia!
— UFC (@ufc) February 1, 2025
[ @RiyadhSeason | #RiyadhSeason ] pic.twitter.com/Ifieu3sGZn
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
14:39 , Will CastleRound two
Abdelwahab is finding success on the ground, appearing to get the better of Pogues - he’s using his Olympic wrestling calibre to his advantage.
Pogues still having joy with the jab and will hope an overhand connection late in the round will sway the judges.
Abdelwahab looks like he’s beginning to gas. Could be everything to play for in the last five minutes.
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
14:31 , Will CastleRound one
We’re off. Abdelwahab is finding success landing a bunch of short punches to the side of the head of Pogues against the cage.
Abdelwahab is looking fast, but Pogues responds well with good jabs. Nevertheless, the Egyptian is probably up after the first round.
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues
14:24 , Will CastleThe first fight of the evening is about to get underway - it’s Jamal Pogues taking on Egypt’s own Hamdy Abdelwahab at heavyweight.
Pogues has the opportunity to extinguish Abdelwahab’s zero, with the Egyptian 5-0 in his professional MMA career.
Pogues appears to be crying on his walkout - is it nerves, fear, or just getting overwhelmed by the moment?
How the prelims shape up
14:04 , Will CastleA quick reminder of what’s to come over the next three hours, ahead of the main card...
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli (featherweight)
Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen (heavyweight)
Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic (lightweight)
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva (women’s flyweight)
Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander (featherweight)
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues (heavyweight)
UFC Saudi Arabia prelims are under way
13:59 , Alex PattleOkay, the UFC Saudi Arabia prelims are upon us!
Over to Will Castle, who has you covered with live updates from every fight this afternoon and evening.
Enjoy...
Conor McGregor sparks feud with Irish PFL star Paul Hughes
13:58 , Alex PattleAlso this week, Conor McGregor hit out at fellow Irish MMA fighter Paul Hughes, after the latter seemingly distanced himself from the controversial former UFC champion.
After losing a disputed decision to PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov on Saturday, in a lightweight title fight in Dubai, Hughes spoke to his opponent’s cousin Khabib – a UFC icon and rival of McGregor.
“I’m not like this other guy, I’m my own man, I’m not like this other guy,” Hughes told Khabib, apparently referring to McGregor, who was submitted by the Russian to end a bitter feud in 2018.
McGregor, as you might expect, did not take kindly to Hughes’s comments. Here’s the full story, including the vulgar insults launched at Hughes by McGregor:
Conor McGregor sparks feud with Irish MMA star after launching vulgar insult
Bryce Mitchell’s comments on Hitler ‘beyond disgusting’, says Dana White
13:56 , Jamie BraidwoodIn other UFC news this week:
UFC president Dana White criticised fighter Bryce Mitchell for praising Adolf Hitler, among a slew of antisemitic, homophobic and transphobic comments, but said the organisation would not take disciplinary action against him.
Mitchell said Hitler was a “good guy” and denied the Holocaust during the first episode of his podcast, 'ArkanSanity’. Mitchell, 30, is ranked 13th in the UFC’s featherweight division.
"We reached out to Bryce immediately when we read what he said, and let him know exactly how we felt about it," White said at a news conference on Thursday.
"But what he said was beyond disgusting and he needs a real education on the facts surrounding Hitler and World War Two.”
But, citing freedom of expression, White said the UFC would not take disciplinary action against the American.
Full story:
UFC fighter’s comments on Hitler ‘beyond disgusting’, says Dana White
Interview: Della Maddalena on 'blueprint' to beat Edwards at UFC London
13:53 , Alex PattleAnother new UFC interview, but not regarding tonight’s event...
We spoke to Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena, who will venture to London for a main event against Leon Edwards in March.
Here’s what “JDM” had to say about his upcoming clash with the home favourite and former champion:
Jack Della Maddalena highlights ‘worst thing’ he could do against Leon Edwards
UFC Saudi Arabia odds for main event and co-main
13:48 , Alex PattleVia Betway:
Adesanya – 4/7; Imavov – 7/5
Magomedov – 8/15; Page – 7/5
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Preview: Adesanya may never fight for UFC gold again if he can't pass Imavov test
13:44 , Will CastleNow fighting for contendership instead of gold, a win tonight is a must if Adesanya intends to become the UFC’s first three-time middleweight champion.
Anything else will cast him further away from the title picture and could even spell retirement. His route back to the throne is anything but easy, and his test against Imavov could prove telling.
On a three-fight tear, Imavov is getting a taste for the main event now; tonight’s is his fourth in the UFC, with two of his previous three going down as wins.
Far more in-form than Adesanya, the Frenchman is vying for title contention for the first time, and he will be desperate to add a divisional great to his resume.
Full preview of tonight’s main event:
Adesanya may never fight for a UFC title again if he can’t pass Imavov test
Interview: ‘MVP’ sees Magomedov as ‘tailor made’ for KO
13:37 , Alex PattleBelow is our interview with Michael “Venom” Page, who fights the unbeaten Shara Magomedov in tonight’s co-main event.
We spoke to the London welterweight about why he’s moving up to 185lb for this fight, his feelings on his loss to Ian Machado Garry last year, and why he is confident of a KO over Magomedov.
Read here:
‘MVP’ sees Shara Magomedov as ‘tailor-made’ opponent for UFC Saudi KO
How to watch UFC Saudi Arabia today
13:21 , Alex PattleThe card will air live on TNT Sports in the UK, with the broadcaster’s app and website also streaming the fights. Discovery+ will also air the action in the UK.
In the US, ESPN+ will stream the event live, as will the UFC’s Fight Pass.
UFC Saudi Arabia start time and how to watch Adesanya vs Imavov
UFC Saudi Arabia start time today
13:11 , Alex PattleThis week’s UFC Fight Night will take place at Anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The prelims will start at 2pm GMT (6am PT / 8am CT / 9am ET), with the main card following at 5pm GMT (9am PT / 11am CT / 12pm ET).
Adesanya fights Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia LIVE
13:00 , Alex PattleIsrael Adesanya faces Nassourdine Imavov in a crucial middleweight clash tonight, as they meet in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia.
Adesanya, a former two-time champion, will try to halt a two-fight losing streak as he takes on the in-form Frenchman. The Nigerian-born New Zealander is in a must-win situation, having surrendered the title to Sean Strickland in a major upset in 2023, before failing to reclaim the gold from current champ Dricus Du Plessis.
Meanwhile, Imavov enters Riyadh on the back of three straight wins, having beaten Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen in a stellar 2024. Still, Adesanya marks Imavov’s toughest test yet, as the latter looks to reach title contention at the “Last Stylebender”’s expense.
And in tonight’s co-main event, Michael “Venom” Page faces Shara Magomedov, with the London welterweight moving up to 185lb. “MVP” will aim to bounce back from a loss to Ian Machado Garry and hand Magomedov his first professional loss.
Follow live updates and results from UFC Saudi Arabia, right here.
All fights at UFC Saudi Arabia today – prelims and main card
13:31 , Alex PattleMain card
Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov (middleweight)
Shara Magomedov vs Michael “Venom” Page (middleweight)
Sergei Pavlovich vs Jairzinho Rozenstruik (heavyweight)
Said Nurmagomedov vs Vinicius Oliveira (bantamweight)
Fares Ziam vs Mike Davis (lightweight)
Muhammad Naimov vs Kaan Ofli (featherweight)
Prelims
Shamil Gaziev vs Thomas Petersen (heavyweight)
Terrance McKinney vs Damir Hadzovic (lightweight)
Jasmine Jasudavicius vs Mayra Bueno Silva (women’s flyweight)
Bogdan Grad vs Lucas Alexander (featherweight)
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs Jamal Pogues (heavyweight)
