This Saturday, June 22, the UFC returns to Saudi Arabia. Despite the sensitive loss of superstar Khamzat Chimaev, the evening still has very interesting fights. The last time the company led by Dana White flew to the Middle East was for UFC 294, where Makhachev knocked out Volkanovski to make his second defense of the lightweight title. Pavlovich, Johnny Walker, and ‘The Pirate’ Magomedov… Sparks are going to fly at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh!
The main event of the card will feature Robert Whittaker (26-7) and Ikram Aliskerov (14-1), in a fight that could define the next contender for the UFC middleweight title. Aliskerov, who should have been beaten this past Saturday, canceled his match to save this weekend’s card and will have a fight for the title within reach if he wins, without being currently ranked.
On the other hand, the card will also feature important fights in different divisions. In the co-main event, Sergei Pavlovich (18-2) will seek to redeem himself against Alexander Volkov (37-10) for his loss against Tom Aspinall by KO in his previous fight, with the interim heavyweight title at stake. At light heavyweight we will have the return of the always entertaining Johnny Walker (21-8), who after his loss by TKO against Ankalaev will try to redeem himself and climb the rankings at the expense of Volkan Oezdemir (19-7). Additionally, all eyes will be on Shara “El Pirata” Magomedov (12-0), the cross-eyed middleweight fighter who will face Joilton Lutterbach (38-10) to continue his undefeated streak.
Schedules and how to watch the evening
The event in Spain can be seen through the Eurosport app. The preliminary poster will begin at 6:00 p.m., although on Eurosport it can be followed from 7:00 p.m. The main card will begin at 9:00 p.m.
UFC Saudi Arabia card
#3 Robert Whittaker (26-7-0) vs. Ikram Aliskerov (15-1-0)
#3 Sergei Pavlovich (18-2-0) vs. #5 Alexander Volkov (37-10-0)
Kelvin Gastelum (18-9-0) vs. Daniel Rodriguez (17-4-0)
Muhammadjon Naimov (11-2-0) vs. Melsik Baghdasaryan (8-2-0)
#7 Johnny Walker (21-8-0) vs. #9 Volkan Oezdemir (19-7-0)
Preliminaries
Shara Magomedov (12-0-0) vs. Joilton Santos Lutterbach (0-0-0)
Nasrat Haqparast (16-5-0) vs. Jared Gordon (20-6-0)
Rinat Fakhretdinov (21-1-1) vs. Nicolas Dalby (23-4-1)
Kyung Ho Kang (19-10-0) vs. Muin Gafurov (18-6-0)
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (1-0-0) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (15-6-0)
Sedriques Dumas (9-2-0) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (11-9-0)
Xiao Long (2-1-0) vs. Chang Ho Lee (2-0-0)
