In a surprising turn of events, UFC President Dana White has officially announced two high-profile matchups for the upcoming UFC Riyadh event, set to take place on February 1, 2025. The card will be headlined by former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya facing off against the rising contender Nassourdine Imavov, while the co-main event will feature the highly anticipated UFC debut of Michael “Venom” Page against Shara “Bullet” Magomedov.
Adesanya vs Imavov and Magomedov vs Page is LIVE February 1st from Riyadh! #UFCRiyadh #RiyadhSeason @RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/1NHjEbtax1
— danawhite (@danawhite) December 14, 2024
Adesanya’s return to the Octagon comes after a tumultuous period in his career. The Nigerian-born New Zealander, known for his striking prowess and charismatic personality, is looking to bounce back from consecutive losses that saw him relinquish his title and fall from the top of the middleweight rankings. This non-title bout against Imavov represents a critical juncture in Adesanya’s career, as he aims to prove he still belongs among the division’s elite.
Nassourdine Imavov, on the other hand, sees this as a golden opportunity to catapult himself into title contention. The French fighter has been steadily climbing the ranks and a victory over a name as big as Adesanya could be the breakthrough he needs to establish himself as a serious threat in the middleweight division.
The stylistic matchup between Adesanya and Imavov promises to be an intriguing one. Adesanya’s unorthodox striking and counter-punching ability will be tested against Imavov’s aggressive style and improving grappling skills. Both fighters have shown the ability to finish fights, which adds an extra layer of excitement to this main event clash.
In the co-main event, the UFC will welcome one of the most entertaining strikers from the world of MMA as Michael “Venom” Page looks to get back into the win column after suffering his first defeat inside the Octagon against Ian Garry. Page, known for his flashy kickboxing style and highlight-reel knockouts, will face a stern test in Shara Magomedov.
Magomedov, a rising star in his own right, will be looking to spoil Page’s UFC debut and continue his own ascent in the middleweight division. The Russian fighter has shown exceptional striking in his previous outings and will likely try to be the first to beat Page at his own game, an area in which many have had a ton of trouble.
The addition of these two fights significantly bolsters the UFC Riyadh card, which is shaping up to be a marquee event for the promotion’s continued expansion into the Middle East. This will be the UFC’s second visit to Saudi Arabia, following the success of their event in June 2024.
As February 1 approaches, all eyes will be on Riyadh. For Adesanya, it’s a chance to reclaim his spot at the top of the middleweight division. For Imavov, it’s an opportunity to defeat a legend and announce himself as a title contender. And for Michael “Venom” Page, it’s the moment to prove that he belongs in the UFC when he moves up in weight to take on the surging Shara Magomedov. With so much at stake, UFC Riyadh is shaping up to be an unmissable event for fight fans worldwide.
