Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 1, 2025: In the presence of HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), French fighter Nassourdine Imavov, ranked No 4 globally, delivered a spectacular knockout victory over New Zealand’s Nigerian-born Israel Adesanya just 30 seconds into the second round during an electrifying UFC bout at anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season
The highly anticipated main event, attended by prominent sports, entertainment, and media figures, saw Adesanya enter the octagon with confidence, while Imavov remained calm and focused The opening round featured a cautious exchange of strikes, as both fighters studied each other’s tactics Imavov held a slight edge, landing a powerful punch that he couldn’t fully capitalize on
As the second round began, Imavov wasted no time seizing control launching a relentless attack with a series of powerful punches that overwhelmed Adesanya Leaving him with no chance to escape or defend, the French fighter secured a stunning victory, forcing Adesanya to succumb to his dominance in an unforgettable moment
In a thrilling co-main event showcasing two contrasting fighting styles British fighter Michael “Venom” Page secured a well-deserved unanimous decision victory over Russian fighter Shara Magomedov Page displayed exceptional tactical prowess utilizing his speed and unorthodox movement inside the octagon which disrupted Magomedov’s rhythm and minimized the effectiveness of his attacks Relying on swift maneuvers and precise strikes Page maintained dominance throughout the three rounds while Magomedov struggled to impose his aggressive fighting style leading to the first loss of his career
The preliminary fights kicked off at 5 PM with an intense bout that went the distance Egyptian fighter Hamdy Abdelwahab earned a hard-fought split decision win over American fighter Jamal Pogues showcasing physical strength and defensive resilience that allowed him to turn the tide and secure victory in a closely contested match
Austrian fighter Bogdan Grad claimed a technical knockout (TKO) victory over Brazilian fighter Lucas Alexander after delivering a series of powerful strikes that ended the fight at 4:22 of Round 2 demonstrating his offensive dominance and octagon control
Canadian fighter Jasmine Jasudavicius shined in the women’s division earning a unanimous decision win over Brazilian fighter Mayra Bueno Silva Jasudavicius dictated the pace with superior tactical execution and excellent fight control securing a commanding performance over three rounds
American fighter Terrance McKinney delivered a spectacular performance overpowering Danish fighter Damir Hadzovic with a TKO at 2:01 of Round 1 McKinney’s relentless offense overwhelmed his opponent forcing the referee to stop the fight after a barrage of decisive strikes
Bahraini fighter Shamil Gaziev electrified the crowd with a stunning knockout (KO) victory over American fighter Thomas Petersen landing a powerful right-hand strike at 3:12 of Round 1 Gaziev’s emphatic win cemented his status as one of the standout fighters of the event
Tajik fighter Muhammad Naimov earned a dominant unanimous decision win over Australian fighter Khan Ofli displaying superior control and offensive effectiveness to close the preliminary fights with a convincing victory
The main card action began with an explosive matchup as Brazilian fighter Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira secured a crucial unanimous decision victory over Dagestani fighter Said Nurmagomedov Oliveira showcased a strong performance throughout all three rounds dictating the fight’s rhythm and imposing his game plan Despite Nurmagomedov’s attempts to mount a comeback fatigue became evident in the third round preventing him from turning the tide
In a bloody war French fighter Fares Ziam delivered a stellar performance against American fighter Mike Davis earning a unanimous decision victory Ziam displayed well-rounded striking and defensive skills despite Davis enduring heavy bleeding for most of the fight Ziam maintained control from start to finish reinforcing his position as one of the top lightweight contenders
Russian heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich bounced back from his previous defeat in Riyadh last June with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Surinamese fighter Jairzinho “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik Pavlovich executed a powerful and well-structured game plan utilizing his physical strength and devastating strikes to maintain full control throughout the fight Rozenstruik attempted to break through Pavlovich’s defenses but the Russian fighter remained composed and executed superior offense and defense proving his ability to compete at the highest level in the heavyweight division.
