UFC in 2024 has seen plenty of highs and lows.
With the new year coming around, plenty of fighters are hoping to get back on track and several notable names on the UFC Saudi Arabia card are itching for their first win in years. The announced line-up will be headlined with Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov.
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya suffered plenty of lows in 2024 as Adesanya dropped the 185-pound belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and failed to regain it at UFC 305. For the first time in his career, Israel Adesanya is on a two-fight skid and hopes to break that by beating Imavov.
But, that won’t be an easy task since Imavov is coming in strong with a three-fight winning streak. The middleweight has only suffered two losses in the UFC and a win over Israel Adesanya will be the biggest one of his career.
While no titles are on the line during this event, the February show hosts several other high profile fights such as Michael “Venom” Page vs. Shara “Bullet” Magomedov and Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira.
Page is coming off a 50/50 year where he beat Kevin Holland via unanimous decision at UFC 299, but failed to carry that momentum over to Ian Machado at UFC 303. Magomedov is a hot prospect who comes in at 15-0, with Page being his biggest test to date in the UFC.
Said Nurmagomedov comes in with a mixed year as well with him being 1 - 1 in his last two fights in 2024. Nurmagomedov got a dominant submission victory over Muin Gafurov at UFC 294. His opponent, Vinicius Oliveira, is riding a nice four-fight wave and remains undefeated in the UFC thus far.
Thus far, eleven matches have been confirmed for the special fight night event in 2025. Card is subject to change at any given time. Check out the advertised line-up for UFC Saudi Arabia on Sataurday, Feb. 1.
Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira
Muhammadjon Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli
Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadzovic
Bodgan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander
Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues
Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen
Jordan Leavitt vs. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozensruik
Ikram Aliskerov vs. Andre Muniz