UFC Returns to Saudi Arabia With Israel Adesanya vs. Shara Magomedov Middleweight Showdown

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The UFC is heading back to Saudi Arabia with an exciting middleweight main event featuring former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya taking on No. 15-ranked Shara “Bullet” Magomedov.

UFC, in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ADESANYA vs. MAGOMEDOV, scheduled for Saturday, December 5, at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event will also feature a highly anticipated welterweight co-main event between No. 1-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry and No. 12-ranked Yaroslav Amosov.

Tickets are on sale now through Webook.

Adesanya vs. Magomedov Headlines Riyadh Return

Adesanya (24-6-0), fighting out of Auckland, New Zealand, remains one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history. The former two-time middleweight champion has recorded 16 knockout victories throughout his professional career.

Adesanya returns to Riyadh looking to make a statement against one of the division’s most dangerous strikers. He previously headlined the UFC’s February 2025 event in the Saudi Arabian capital and will be looking to deliver another impressive performance.

Standing across the Octagon will be Magomedov (17-1-0), who enters the matchup riding consecutive victories over Michel Pereira and Marc-André Barriault.

The Russian striker has finished 12 of his 17 career victories by knockout. His only professional defeat came in Riyadh in February 2025, making his return to the same city an opportunity to secure the biggest victory of his career.

Ian Machado Garry vs. Yaroslav Amosov Set for Co-Main Event

The co-main event features an important welterweight matchup between Ian Machado Garry and Yaroslav Amosov.

Machado Garry (17-2-0), fighting out of Dublin, Ireland, by way of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, returns following his welterweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 in August.

The No. 1-ranked contender previously defeated Belal Muhammad in Doha last November and now looks to get himself back into title contention with another major victory.

Amosov (30-1-0), fighting out of Kiev, Ukraine, has made an impressive start to his UFC career, winning both of his Octagon appearances by submission against veterans Neil Magny and Joel Alvarez.

The former Bellator welterweight champion has suffered just one defeat in 31 professional bouts and will have an opportunity to make a major statement against one of the division’s top contenders.

Additional Bouts Announced

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ADESANYA vs. MAGOMEDOV will feature a deep lineup of international talent across multiple weight divisions.

Additional matchups include:

Heavyweight

No. 10-ranked Serghei “Polar Bear” Spivac (18-7-0) vs. undefeated Mario Pinto (13-0-0).

Welterweight

Levan Chokheli (15-3-0, 1 NC) vs. Islam “The Ripper” Dulatov (12-1-0).

Lightweight

Mairon Santos (17-1-0) vs. undefeated newcomer Akbar Abdullaev (14-0-0).

Light Heavyweight

Undefeated Magomed “Tiger” Tuchalov (7-0-0) vs. Ion “The Hulk” Cutelaba (20-12-1, 1 NC).
Uran Satybaldiev (10-1-0) vs. undefeated Russian newcomer Ivan Gnizditskiy (7-0-0).

Flyweight

Bruno Silva (15-9-2, 1 NC) vs. Jafel Filho (17-5-0).

Middleweight

Marco Tulio (14-3-0) vs. Jun Yong Park (19-7-0).
Modestino Rodrigues (8-1-0) vs. Matthieu Duclos (11-3-0).

Bantamweight

Pavel Andrusca (9-0-0) vs. Ultimate Fighter finalist Mahammadali Osmanli (12-2-0).
Abdul Hussein (16-2-0) vs. Hecher Sosa (15-1-0).

Riyadh Season Welcomes the UFC

The event will take place as part of Riyadh Season, an annual entertainment festival that has become one of Saudi Arabia’s biggest attractions during the winter months.

Since launching in 2019, Riyadh Season has welcomed visitors from around the world with thousands of concerts, sporting competitions, entertainment attractions and cultural events.

The UFC’s return adds another major sporting attraction to the festival’s lineup, bringing some of the world’s top mixed martial artists to the Saudi Arabian capital.

With a former two-time champion facing one of the division’s most dangerous knockout artists, a high-stakes welterweight co-main event, and a loaded supporting card, UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ADESANYA vs. MAGOMEDOV is shaping up to be an exciting night of fights.

Event Details: