The UFC is making a landmark debut in Saudi Arabia, headlined by a thrilling middleweight No. 1 contender's bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Robert Whittaker on June 22. UFC CEO Dana White unveiled this main event and four additional matchups for the inaugural UFC Saudi Arabia card, set to be broadcasted on ABC in the United States.
Highlighting the card, Sergei Pavlovich will face Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight co-main event that promises fireworks. The welterweight division will see action as Kelvin Gastelum takes on Daniel Rodriguez. Light heavyweight fighters Johnny Walker and Volkan Oezdemir are also slated to clash, with another light heavyweight fight featuring Sharabutdin Magomedov, also known as Shara Bullet, against Ihor Potieria.
This event not only brings UFC stars to Saudi Arabia but also signifies the start of a significant partnership between the UFC and the Kingdom, broadening the UFC's influence in the Middle East beyond its longstanding collaboration with Abu Dhabi.
Chimaev enters the ring maintaining an unbeaten 13-0 record, fresh from a victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. He faces a stern challenge in former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, who is coming off an impressive win against Paulo Costa. With the UFC Saudi Arabia event already shaping up to be a monumental occasion, more fight announcements are anticipated in the weeks ahead.
Who do you think will win on June 22?
0%Khamzat Chimaev
0%Robert Whittaker