The UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov is set for Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This event marks the return of former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, who is looking to reclaim his dominance against rising contender Nassourdine Imavov.
Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
After losing his title to Sean Strickland in September 2023 and suffering another defeat to Dricus Du Plessis, Adesanya is determined to regain his position among the elite middleweights. This will be his first non-title fight in six years, and despite the circumstances, he has stated that “the atmosphere and the competition remain the same.”
On the other side, Nassourdine Imavov enters the fight on a three-fight win streak, with notable victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier, and Brendan Allen. A win against a former champion like Adesanya could propel him into title contention.
Co-Main Event: Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page
In the co-main event, Russian sensation Shara Magomedov takes on British superstar Michael "Venom" Page. Magomedov gained widespread attention after his knockout victory over Petrosyan at UFC 308. Recently, he was spotted at Al-Nassr's facilities in Riyadh, where he met football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who is expected to attend the event.
Other Key Fights on the Card
This event will also feature several other exciting matchups:
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Welterweight Bout: Li Jingliang vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
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Heavyweight Bout: Marcin Tybura vs. Blagoy Ivanov
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Featherweight Bout: Dan Ige vs. Movsar Evloev
Broadcast Details
Fans can watch the event live via:
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UFC Fight Pass (Prelims and Early Coverage)
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ESPN+ (Main Card - Pay-Per-View)
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BT Sport (UK Broadcast)
The Prelims start at 2:00 PM GMT, while the Main Card begins at 5:00 PM GMT.
What to Expect
This event is a crucial one for Israel Adesanya, as he aims to prove that he is still one of the most dominant forces in the middleweight division. For Nassourdine Imavov, this is a golden opportunity to establish himself as a true contender.
The co-main event between Magomedov and Page promises fireworks, as both fighters are known for their unorthodox styles and knockout power.
Get ready for an action-packed night with potential upsets and thrilling performances in the world of MMA!