Everything That Went Down In 2024 And What’s Next
Over the past year, UFC® has brought iconic mixed martial arts excellence to the Middle East with no signs of stopping. Next on the schedule, UFC® is set to make its return to the region, bringing the world’s biggest MMA organisation to ANB Arena, Riyadh, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA).
As we gear up to UFC FIGHT NIGHTÒ: ADESANYA vs IMAVOV in Riyadh on February 1st 2025, let’s recap the spectacular performances that took place across Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in 2024.
UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: WHITTAKER VS ALISKEROV, Riyadh on June 26th 2024:
UFC kicked off the year by making history with its first event in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with an unforgettable night at the Kingdom Arena. Fans in the capital were treated to a host of UFC Fight Week activities, with Saturday’s Fight Night living up to all expectations with a compelling lineup of matches.
In the main event, Australia’s Robert Whittaker delivered a spectacular performance, stopping rising star Ikram Aliskerov in the first round. Former champion and current No.4 middleweight Whittaker showed his experience in finishing the highly touted Aliskerov, who had previously lost only once in his sixteen-fight professional career.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT: SANDHAGEN VS NURMAGOMEDOV, Abu Dhabi on August 3rd 2024:
UFC marked its ftriumphant return to Yas Island at Etihad Arena, delivering a sensational night of action in the heart of the UAE. From cheers at Yas Mall for the athletes open workouts to roars of support at the fight night event, fans were treated to epic MMA action – including the return of the UAE’s very own Mohammad Yahya.
The main event saw the highly anticipated clash between Cory Sandhagen and the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. In a display of his signature skill and determination, Nurmagomedov emerged victorious with a unanimous decision win after a grueling five-round battle – cementing Nurmagomedov’s unbeaten winning streak and solidifying his position as one of the most formidable contenders in the bantamweight division.
UFC 308: TOPURIA vs HOLLOWAY, Abu Dhabi on October 26th 2024:
Celebrating the 20th UFC event in the UAE over the past decade, the excitement continued in October at the Etihad Arena, with a title fight for the ages between featherweight champion Ilia Topuria as he challenged #2 Max Holloway.
Featherweight fireworks were on full display for the title fight as Ilia Topuria put his perfect record and title on the line as he took on former featherweight king Max Holloway, with Topuria coming out as the winner via TKO in a pulse-pounding final bout. The co-main event saw the much-anticipated middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and the unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev, having been previously postponed, the clash for all-out glory saw Chimaev take the victory, keeping his winning streak going strong.
What to expect in 2025:
With an incredible line-up of iconic MMA talent taking the Middle Eastern stage over the past year, the exhilarating sport makes its return with UFC FIGHT NIGHTÒ: ADESANYA vs IMAVOV in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a blockbuster main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Held in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), the event will take place on Saturday, February 1 at the anb Arena in Riyadh. In the co-main event, exciting middleweight strikers face off as Shara “Bullet” Magomedov takes on Michael “Venom” Page.
For more information on UFC FIGHT NIGHTÒ: ADESANYA vs IMAVOV and for the latest updates visit www.ufc.com.
