The UFC makes its debut in Saudi Arabia this weekend and brings a stacked card to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Turki Alalsheikh has made a big impact into the combat sports world since entering the space in recent years. Boxing has been at the forefront of the conversation in Saudi Arabia and now it is time for the UFC to make an introduction.
In the main event, legendary former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker faces off against rising star Ikram Aliskerov. The Russian has stepped up on short notice to replace Khamzat Chimaev who had to withdraw due to illness. The opportunity is immense for Aliskerov who is only two fights into his UFC tenure and now has a shot at getting into the title picture at 185lbs. Aliskerov is on the fringes of the rankings and a win in Riyadh will see him skyrocket into the upper echelons of the middleweight elite. Many fans question why he got the call however, it seems he was the only man to accept the huge challenge of fighting Whittaker on short notice.
Before hand a colossal co-main fight between huge heavyweights Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov takes place. The pair of Russians are two of the most intimidating men to step foot in the UFC octagon and they collide in the Kingdom Arena. Pavlovich is aiming to bounce back after his UFC interim championship defeat to Tom Aspinall at UFC 295. Volkov is on electric form on three fight finish streak since his defeat to the same Englishman back in 2022. Also, the rest of the card is littered with talent throughout, undefeated striking maverick Shara Magomedov returns to the UFC octagon after a successful debut last October. The event has suffered many opponent changes but by far the most intriguing is the introduction of Felipe Lima. The former Oktagon Bantamweight Champion holds a 12-1 record and steps up to fight Muhammed Naimov at 145lbs.
An added bonus is that the card is on at UK primetime so catch all the results and highlights below,
UFC Saudi Arabia
Main Card
Middleweight – Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov
Result: Robert Whittaker defeats Ikram Aliskerov via KO in Round 1 at 1:49
Highlights:
Heavyweight – Sergei Pavlovich vs Alexander Volkov
Result: Alexander Volkov defeats Sergei Pavlovich via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Highlights:
Middleweight – Kelvin Gastelum vs Daniel Rodriguez
Result: Kelvin Gastelum defeats Daniel Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Highlights:
Middleweight – Shara Magomedov vs Antonio Trócoli
Result: Shara Magomedov defeats Antonio Trócoli via KO in Round 3 at 2:27
Highlights:
Light Heavyweight – Johnny Walker vs Volkan Oezdemir
Result: Volkan Oezdemir defeats Johnny Walker via KO in Round 1 at 2:28
Highlights:
Prelims
Lightweight – Nasrat Haqparast vs Jared Gordon
Result: Nasrat Haqparast defeats Jared Gordon via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Highlights:
Featherweight – Muhammed Naimov vs Felipe Lima
Result: Felipe Lima defeats Muhammed Naimov via Submission (Rear Naked Choke) in Round 3 at 1:15
Highlights:
Welterweight – Rinat Fakhretdinov vs Nicolas Dalby
Result: Rinat Fakhretdinov defeats Nicolas Dalby via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Highlights:
Bantamweight – Kyung Ho Kang vs Muin Gafurov
Result: Muin Gafurov defeats Kyung Ho Kang via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Highlights:
Light Heavyweight – Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs Brendson Ribeiro
Result: Magomed Gadzhiyasulov defeats Brendson Ribeiro via Majority Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Highlights:
Bantamweight – Xiao Long vs Chang Ho Lee
Result: Chang Ho Lee defeats Xiao Long via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 28-29)
Highlights:
