RIYADH: The UFC’s return to Riyadh delivered high-octane action, headlined by a stunning upset as Nassourdine Imavov knocked out former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the second round.
In the co-main event, Michael “Venom” Page showcased his striking brilliance, outclassing Shara Magomedov in his highly anticipated UFC debut.
A new force emerged in the middleweight division. Imavov made a resounding statement, knocking out Adesanya just 30 seconds into the second round.
After an evenly contested opening round, Imavov masterfully set up his attack, using a feinting jab to distract Adesanya before delivering a thunderous right hand that sent the former champion crashing to the canvas. Sensing the finish, Imavov wasted no time, overwhelming Adesanya with ground strikes until the referee stepped in.
The victory — his fourth consecutive win — solidifies Imavov as a legitimate title contender in the 185-pound division. Meanwhile, Adesanya now faces serious questions about his future, suffering his third consecutive loss and second knockout defeat in a row.
Meanwhile, UFC newcomer Michael “Venom” Page lived up to his reputation, dismantling previously unbeaten Shara Magomedov with a flawless display of movement and precision striking, securing a unanimous decision victory.
Page’s trademark elusive style kept Magomedov off balance throughout the fight. Darting in and out of range with surgical counters, the 37-year-old Brit controlled the pace, frustrating his opponent, while avoiding significant damage.
With this dominant win in a higher weight class, Page has already proven he belongs among the elite. He is expected to return to welterweight for his next fight, while Magomedov must now regroup after his first professional defeat.
The rest of the main card saw Sergei Pavlovich defeat Jairzinho Rozenstruik by unanimous decision, using relentless pressure to control the fight. Vinicius Oliveira secured a technical and well-executed unanimous decision win over Said Nurmagomedov, while Fares Ziam outpointed Mike Davis in a closely contested match-up.
The prelims featured several standout performances. Muhammad Naimov earned a hard-fought unanimous decision over Kaan Ofli, while Shamil Gaziev stopped Thomas Petersen with a first-round TKO.
Terrance McKinney wasted no time securing a first-round TKO over Damir Hadzovic, and Jasmine Jasudavicius outworked Mayra Bueno Silva for a unanimous decision win. Bogdan Grad showcased his power with a second-round TKO against Lucas Alexander, while Hamdy Abdelwahab edged out Jamal Pogues in a split decision victory.
