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Israel 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, below.
How the prelims shape up
A quick reminder of what’s to come over the next three hours, ahead of the main card…
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)
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)
Will Castle1 February 2025 14:04
UFC Saudi Arabia prelims are under way
Okay, 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.
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:59
Conor McGregor sparks feud with Irish PFL star Paul Hughes
Also 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:
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:58
Bryce Mitchell’s comments on Hitler ‘beyond disgusting’, says Dana White
In 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.
Jamie Braidwood1 February 2025 13:56
Interview: Della Maddalena on ‘blueprint’ to beat Edwards at UFC London
Another 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:
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:53
UFC Saudi Arabia odds for main event and co-main
Adesanya – 4/7; Imavov – 7/5
Magomedov – 8/15; Page – 7/5
We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:48
Preview: Adesanya may never fight for UFC gold again if he can’t pass Imavov test
Now 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:
Will Castle1 February 2025 13:44
Interview: ‘MVP’ sees Magomedov as ‘tailor made’ for KO
Below 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.
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:37
All fights at UFC Saudi Arabia today – prelims and main 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)
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)
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:31
How to watch UFC Saudi Arabia today
The 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.
Alex Pattle1 February 2025 13:21
