Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to make history by holding its first event in Saudi Arabia on June 22, according to an announcement made by Dana White, the president of the promotion. The event will showcase a highly anticipated middleweight bout between rising star Khamzat Chimaev and former champion Robert Whittaker, with the winner earning a shot at the current middleweight titleholder, Dricus Du Plessis.
UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia will be broadcast live and for free on ABC, providing fans worldwide an opportunity to witness the intense showdown between Chimaev, who boasts an impressive undefeated record of 13-0, and the seasoned Whittaker, who recently secured a victory over Paulo Costa. The event marks a significant milestone for the sport as it expands its reach to new territories.
In addition to the headline fight, White revealed four other exciting matchups on the fight card, including Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov, Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Johnny Walker vs. Volkan Oezdemir, and Shara Magomedov vs. Ihor Potieria. The lineup is expected to deliver a thrilling night of combat sports for fans in attendance and tuning in from around the globe.
Chimaev’s return to the octagon after his triumph over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, along with Whittaker’s quest to reclaim the middleweight title, adds further intrigue to the upcoming event. With Du Plessis waiting in the wings for his next challenger, the stakes are high for both fighters as they look to secure their path to championship glory.
Fans of mixed martial arts can anticipate an action-packed evening of fights, showcasing some of the sport’s top talents as they battle for supremacy in the highly competitive middleweight division. The UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia promises to be a historic moment for the organization and a thrilling experience for fight fans worldwide, solidifying the promotion’s commitment to delivering world-class events across the globe.