- George Chung
- Jun 22, 2024
- 2 min read
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to make its historic debut in Saudi Arabia with UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov on Saturday, June 22, at the Kingdom Arena. This landmark event, featuring a stacked card with 11 bouts, marks a significant milestone as UFC continues to expand its global footprint. Fans can tune in to the action starting at 12 PM ET, available on ESPN, ABC in the US, and UFC Fight Pass globally.
Main Event: Middleweight Showdown
The main event of the evening pits former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker against the formidable Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker, known for his precise striking and resilience, looks to reaffirm his status at the top of the middleweight division. Aliskerov, on the other hand, enters this fight with a reputation for his grappling prowess and knockout power, promising a clash of styles that fans won’t want to miss.
Co-Main Event: Heavyweight Collision
In the co-main event, heavyweight contenders Sergei Pavlovich and Alexander Volkov will battle it out. Both fighters are known for their striking abilities, with Pavlovich showcasing explosive power and Volkov bringing exceptional reach and technique. This fight is expected to have significant implications for the heavyweight rankings.
Main Card Breakdown
Welterweight Bout: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez Gastelum, with his wrestling base and boxing skills, faces Rodriguez, who is noted for his striking and durability. This matchup is anticipated to be a dynamic and aggressive contest.
Featherweight Bout: Muhammad Naimov vs. Felipe Lima Naimov, an emerging talent with a well-rounded game, takes on Lima, a seasoned fighter with a strong foundation in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. This bout could be a technical display of mixed martial arts.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Johnny Walker vs. Volkan Oezdemir Known for his spectacular knockouts, Walker meets Oezdemir, who has proven his power against top-level competition. Expect fireworks in this high-stakes light heavyweight clash.
Preliminary Card Highlights
Middleweight Bout: Shara Magomedov vs. Joilton Lutterbach A stylistic matchup, with Magomedov’s grappling against Lutterbach’s striking versatility.
Lightweight Bout: Nasrat Haqparast vs. Jared Gordon Both fighters are known for their pace and aggression, making this likely a crowd-pleaser.
Welterweight Bout: Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. Nicolas Dalby Fakhretdinov’s strength and grappling skills are set to test Dalby’s experience and striking ability.
Bantamweight Bout: Muin Gafurov vs. Kyung Ho Kang Gafurov’s power and aggressiveness face Kang’s technical grappling skills in this exciting bantamweight matchup.
Light Heavyweight Bout: Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs. Brendson Ribeiro Expect a clash of raw power as both fighters look to establish themselves in the division.
Tournament Finals | Bantamweight: Long Xiao vs. Chang Ho Lee This tournament final features Xiao's dynamic striking against Lee’s grappling acumen, crowning the next potential star in the bantamweight division.
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov is not just a significant event due to its location but also for the depth of talent on display. As UFC makes its Saudi Arabian debut, this event promises to deliver thrilling matches across all weight classes, showcasing the very best of mixed martial arts to a global audience.
