Israel Adesanya returns against Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Uncrowned has UFC Saudi Arabia live results, highlights and play-by-play for the Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov fight card on Saturday at Anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In the main event, former two-time UFC champion title Adesanya faces off against rising contender Imavov in a five-round middleweight showdown.
Adesanya (24-4) fights in a non-title bout for the first time since 2019, snapping a string of 12 consecutive championship bouts that stretched across his two different reigns. “The Last Stylebender” is already one of the most decorated middleweights to ever compete, but after hitting the first losing streak of his MMA career, it’s now or never for the 35-year-old if he wants to make a third run at gold.
“Without the belt being on the line, there’s an element of freedom that I haven’t felt in a while,” Adesanya told Uncrowned ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia. “I’m anticipating what [that freedom] is going to feel like in the Octagon.”
Standing across from the former champ is Imavov (15-4, 1 NC), who steps into the biggest spotlight of his career with a chance to propel himself straight into title contention.
A 29-year-old native of Dagestan who relocated to France in his youth, Imavov carved out a path to Saturday’s contender bout with a perfect 2024 campaign that featured a trio of consecutive victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen. In total, Imavov has won seven of his 10 UFC appearances and has long been considered a dark horse for the title at 185 pounds.
Knockout artists Michael Page and Shara Magomedov collide in the middleweight co-headliner.
UFC Saudi Arabia starts at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN+, with a main card that kicks off at 12 p.m. ET.
Follow along all Saturday as Uncrowned brings you live results and highlights below, as well as a live blog of the entire card culminating with Adesanya vs. Imavov.
Main Card (ESPN+, LIVE NOW)
Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov
Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (ESPN+)
Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Peterson via KO (punch) at 3:12 of Round 1 | Watch finish
Terrance McKinney def. Damir Hadzovic via TKO (strikes) at 2:01 of Round 1 | Watch finish
Vinicius Oliveira def. Said Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision (29-28 All)
That’s three straight to start Oliveira’s UFC run. He said in his post-fight interview he battled through a rib injury.
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Round 3
Oliveira continues to apply the pressure and throws Nurmagomedov off balance with his flurries. Nurmagomedov falls when kicking, giving Oliveira control while Nurmagomedov holds the leg. Oliveira locks on a d’arce choke once Nurmagomedov lets go of the leg. It’s more just to hold rather than submit, as Oliveira lets go to land some short elbows. Oliveira dishes to the body as Nurmagomedov goes back to attacking for the leg. An opening allows for a stand-up. They both look tired now. Oliveira hurls some standing hammerfists and looping arm punches. A leg kick from Oliveira spins Nurmagomedov into a back fist. These dudes look like whacky flailing inflatable tube men now. Nurmagomedov shoots in for one more Hail Mary takedown that’s defended.
10-9 Oliveira (29-28 Oliveira)
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Round 2
Oliveira works the calf kick early this time. A heavy head kick lands for Nurmagomedov then he takes a hook in return. An overswing from Oliveira results in a Nurmagomedov shot. They move toward the cage, battling for underhooks until the break. Oliveira presses back in and gets his takedown, landing in full guard near the cage for Nurmagomedov to wall walk. Oliveira crashes in and starts to unleash punches. Nurmagomedov tries to kick his way out before bursting into a takedown attempt. He holds the bodylock from behind as they near the cage. Oliveira starts unloading a multi-punch combo with a kick at the end. Nurmagomedov appears to be slowing. Oliveira wildly rips the body and keeps on coming. Horn sounds.
10-9 Oliveira (19-19)
Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Round 1
A strong body kick lands for Nurmagomedov to start. He nearly lands a question mark kick to follow. Hard calf kick and a spinning back kick to the body for Nurmagomedov. He’s chopping the leg hard as another calf kick lands. A nice one-two from Nurmagomedov. Oliveira nearly gives up the neck. A spinning back elbow from Nurmagomedov leads to a successful but brief takedown. Oliveira takes control in the clinch, holding an underhook. Nurmagomedov throws up a high kick on the exit. An eye poke to Nurmagomedov pauses the action. The fight restarts and another big kick connects to Oliveira. An accidental head clash and punch drops Oliveira until he lands a takedown. They work from guard with Nurmagomedov on bottom. Nurmagomedov teases an armbar and flips out of the position to give up his back against the cage. Oliveira looks for a big throw before the round ends, but can’t quite get it.
10-9 Nurmagomedov
Bloody mess
Fares Ziam def. Mike Davis via unanimous decision (30-27 A)
Ziam has really come into his own, and he makes it five straight wins after turning back Davis.
Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis – Round 3
Huge straight right stings Ziam out the gate. He fires back with a knee before shooting in on a single-leg. He gets it. I still have no clue how Ziam’s knee isn’t completely shredded. Ziam’s ground and pound is minimal as they try and find strong control positions. Ziam takes half-guard briefly until Davis butterflies to guard and to the feet. Ziam jabs and launches a left hook and elbow behind it. Davis is met with a blast double attempt, but he defends. Ziam switches to a single against the cage and gets it. Davis starts to look for another heel hook, using it to take top control and land some elbows. Now Ziam is leaking from a cut. Those men painted the canvas. Horn sounds.
10-9 Ziam (30-27 Ziam)
Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis – Round 2
Davis initiates the start of the round with massive punches, rushing Ziam into the cage. They battle for position with over-unders. Davis nearly gets a trip takedown, re-taking control. Ziam lowers the head of Davis to land a brief knee. Davis is cut bad around his ear. Ziam picks him up high and walks to the center for a takedown. Davis starts attacking a heel hook and turns it into a calf-slicer! Oh my God, that man is leaking serious plasma. All while holding the leg and knee in the nastiest-looking position. Oh, those ligaments cannot feel good. This is wild. Ziam escapes but Davis lands on top in mount — a wet, bloody mount. Ziam slips off and lands punches atop Davis. The blood appears to be hindering Davis’ vision. Vicious elbows from Ziam connect before the round ends, and Davis slowly returns to his corner.
10-9 Ziam (20-18 Ziam)
Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis – Round 1
May there be violence. Early punches are traded before Davis attempts a takedown and lands on his back in butterfly guard to sweep his way back up. Davis tries to pull guard again, but Ziam stands, landing a right straight before Davis goes to his back again. This is a surprising approach. They stand, and Ziam connects some knees in the clinch against the cage. A spinning elbow on the break lands for Ziam. Ziam jabs high then to the body. Combinations aplenty get served to Ziam as Davis seeks something positive. Clean uppercut gets through for Ziam. Davis attacks a takedown to no avail before punching into a body lock from behind for a high-amplitude takedown to get the back then takes mount. Ziam tries to burst out, transitioning to half-guard. Ziam gets to guard, and they each land a few shots before the round ends.
10-9 Ziam
A rebound victory
Muhammad Naimov def. Kaan Ofli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
The win gets Naimov back in the win column after his Felipe Lima loss last year.
Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli – Round 3
Naimov wastes no time in round three, breaking out a spinning wheel kick that lands to the guard. Ofli ducks down to grab for a potential takedown. Naimov capitalizes, pushing him down and getting right into mount to land massive punches and elbows. Naimov takes the back as Ofli tries to escape. Naimov can’t find any chokes as Ofli defends, spinning until an opening to stand presents itself. Ofli starts to get desperate. He throws big punches against the cage, connecting to the body, but Naimov blocks the head well. In the end, he did what he needed to do.
10-9 Naimov (30-27 Naimov)
Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli – Round 2
Ofli rushes in, launching a right hand into Naimov’s face before giving up control against the cage. Ofli unloads a tight combination in close, and an uppercut clearly staggers Naimov. They clinch up with Ofli taking double unders. Ofli works his way to the back while seeking a takedown. Naimov breaks off and unleashes a punch combination. Ofli punches into a clinch again, but this time is taken down on a trip. Naimov works from side control. Ofli finds his way back to his feet, pinning Naimov to the cage. They jockey for position until the referee breaks them apart. A nice left straight lands for Naimov. Round ends.
10-9 Naimov (20-18 Naimov)
Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli – Round 1
Naimov starts the action, trying to sneak a right hand over the guard of Ofli. Ofli’s first shot makes stiff contact to the cup of Naimon. That will pause a fight every time, folks. Action resumes, and Ofli goes to the body with a pair of kicks. Naimov enters a tight clinch, landing a brutal pair of knees before they move toward the cage. Ofli lock up double underhooks. He starts to chip away with knees. Naimov reverses the position. They separate. Naimov is pawing with an illegal finger extension, but the ref doesn’t see it. Nice jabs from Naimov, followed by a brutal body kick and right hand to stagger Ofli. A takedown lands, and Naimov controls from behind as Ofli starts to wall-walk back up.
10-9 Naimov
Walk-off KO!
Shamil Gaziev def. Thomas Peterson via first-round knockout (punch) at 3:12
Well, although it was much shorter, that was much better than the first heavyweight fight. A nice highlight for Gaziev.
Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Peterson – Round 1
The men engage early, and Gaziev lands a short elbow in the clinch before eating a big overhand left. Peterson punches to the body. A nice right hook from Peterson finds its mark. Gaziev attacks with a heavy body kick. Peterson rushes in for a single-leg and gets it briefly. Some awkward straight right-hands land for Gaziev. WOW! Out of nowhere, one big right hand plants Peterson and that’s it!
Jamal Pogues is not happy
Reaction
It’s never boring with Terrance McKinney. What a bounce back win that was. Wow.
