The UFC is set to make its debut in Saudi Arabia this summer with a highly anticipated headliner in the middleweight division.
Former champion Robert Whittaker is scheduled to take on Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round main event on June 22, as confirmed by UFC CEO Dana White on Thursday.
White also mentioned that the winner of this bout would earn a shot at the championship gold and revealed that the main card would be aired on ABC.
Among the other exciting matchups on the fight card are Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov, Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez, Volkan Ezdemir vs. Johnny Walker, and Shara Magomedov vs. Ihor Potieria.
Boom boom!!!
UFC makes its debut in Saudi Arabia with an epic fight card headlined by Whittaker vs. Chimaev on June 22, live and free on ABC. pic.twitter.com/2OZW2AEmLH
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 28, 2024
Whittaker (25-7 MMA, 16-5 UFC), currently ranked No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie middleweight rankings, aims to build on the momentum from his recent victory over Paulo Costa in February. This win marked his second victory in three fights, bouncing back after a loss to Doricus du Plessis.
Chimaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will be making his comeback since September 2022, following a win over former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman by majority decision. The No. 8 middleweight has notable wins over Gilbert Burns and Kevin Holland in the UFC.
The UFC Saudi Arabia lineup so far includes:
- Robert Whitaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev
- Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov
- Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Johnny Walker
- Shara Magomedov vs. Ihor Potieria
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