One week after HE Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced the main card of the global UFC event as part of Riyadh Season, the complete list of fighters for the highly anticipated event has been unveiled.
The event, organized in collaboration with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, UFC, will take place at the anb Arena in Riyadh on February 1, 2025, promising thrilling matchups featuring some of the best athletes from around the globe.
Among the exciting bouts, Dagestani fighter Said Nurmagomedov (18-3-0) will face Brazilian Vinicius “Lok Dog” Oliveira (21-3-0), while Tajik Muhammad Naimov (11-3-0) squares off against Australian Kaan Ofli (12-3-1).
In another bout, American Terrance McKinney (15-7-0) will clash with Denmark’s Damir Hadzovic (14-7-0), and Austrian Bogdan Grad (14-2-0) will meet Brazilian Lucas Alexander (8-4-0).
Highlighting Arab representation, Egyptian Hamdy Abdelwahab (5-0-0) will take on American Jamal Boggs (11-4-0), while Bahraini Shamil Gaziev (13-1-0) faces a tough challenge against American Thomas Petersen (9-2-0).
The excitement continues as Americans Jordan Leavitt (11-3-0) and Abdul Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4-0) battle it out, and Russian Sergei Pavlovich (18-3-0) faces Surinamese fighter Jairzinho “Bigi Boy” Rozenstruik (15-5-0).
Dagestani Ikram Aliskerov (15-2-0) will take on Brazilian André Muniz (24-6-0) in a blockbuster bout.
The main event was announced as a showdown between former middleweight world champion Israel Adesanya (24-4-0), known as “The Last Stylebender,” and rising star Nassourdine Imavov (15-4-0), ranked fourth globally.
Adesanya, the Nigerian-born New Zealander, is one of UFC’s all-time greats, making his return to the Octagon® after a title fight against Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. He is determined to reclaim his dominance with a decisive victory over Imavov.
Imavov, the French fighter of Dagestani descent, enters the fight with momentum following his victory over Brendan Allen. Known for his well-rounded skills and powerful knockouts, Imavov aims to topple a legend like Adesanya in what promises to be an extraordinary night.
In the co-main event, the audience will witness another thrilling middleweight bout between unbeaten Dagestani Shara Magomedov (15-0-0), ranked 14th globally, and Michael “Venom” Page (22-3-0), the English kickboxing sensation. Magomedov seeks to solidify his ranking, while Page looks to reclaim his winning streak.
Tickets for this historic event will go on sale starting January 3, 2025, via the Webook platform, heightening the anticipation for sports fans eager to experience this landmark event, which has become a standout feature of Riyadh Season.
