UFC is making its return to Saudi Arabia this weekend for UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov, taking place at The Venue on Saturday, February 1. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ (available in both English and Spanish) and SiriusXM Fight Nation. The main card kicks off at 12 p.m. ET, while the prelims begin at 9 a.m. ET.
In the main event, two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (24-4) will step into the octagon for his first non-title fight in almost six years. Adesanya, who is looking to halt a two-fight losing streak, hopes to demonstrate his dominance in the division once again. He will face the rising contender Nassourdine Imavov (15-4), who is currently on a three-fight winning streak, having recently earned victories over notable opponents Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen.
The co-main event features unbeaten striker Shara Magomedov (15-0) aiming for his fifth consecutive victory in the UFC, as he goes up against Michael “Venom” Page (22-3) in an eagerly anticipated middleweight match. Magomedov comes into this fight off a knockout win against Armen Petrosyan, while Page looks to make a statement in a new weight class by attempting to hand Magomedov his first professional loss.
The evening’s action will be called by John Gooden, with analysis from UFC lightweight Paul Felder and Laura Sanko, alongside reporting duties from McKenzie Pavacich.
Additionally, later this year, The Ultimate Fighter will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an exciting new season featuring UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen as coaches. This season will air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes, debuting on Tuesday, May 27, at 10 p.m. ET, with full availability on ESPN+.
Overall, UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov promises to be an exhilarating event for fans, showcasing top-tier talent and intense matchups in the octagon. It’s a wonderful opportunity for athletes like Adesanya and Imavov to demonstrate their skills on a big stage while enthusing fans eagerly awaiting their performances.