UFC will hold its first Fight Night event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 22, 2024, at Kingdom Arena. A middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Islam Aliskerov is set to headline the event.

EVENT INFO

Promotion: Ultimate Fighting Championship
Date: June 22, 2024
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Venue: Kingdom Arena
Start Time: Prelims – 12:00 pm ET, Main Card – 10 pm ET
Network: ESPN+, ABC Network (US), TNT Sports (UK), UFC Fight Pass (Worldwide)

FIGHT CARD

Main Card

Main Event: Robert Whittaker vs Islam Aliskerov

Result: Robert Whittaker won via KO at 1:49 of Round 1
Division/title: Middleweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
Weight: Robert Whittaker (186), Ikram Aliskerov (184)

Sergei Pavlovich vs Alexander Volkov

Result: Alexander Volkov won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Division/title: Heavyweight
Referee: Jason Herzog
Weight: Kelvin Gastelum (184.5), Daniel Rodriguez (184)

Kelvin Gastelum vs Daniel Rodriguez

Result: Kelvin Gastelum won via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Division/title: Middleweight
Referee: Ritch Mitchell
Weight: Kelvin Gastelum (184.5), Daniel Rodriguez (184)

Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Antonio Trócoli

Result: Shara Magomedov won via KO at 2:27 of round 3
Division/title: Light Heavyweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
Weight: Shara Magomedov (185.5), Antonio Trocoli (185.5)

Prelims

Nasrat Haqparast vs Jared Gordon

Result: Nasrat Haqparast won via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Division/title: Lightweight
Referee: Ritch Mitchell
Weight: Nasrat Haqparast (156), Jared Gordon (156)

Muhammad Naimov vs Felipe Lima

Result: Felipe Lima dwon via submission at 1:15 of round 3
Division/title: Featherweight
Referee: Thomas Fan
Weight: Muhammad Naimov (145.5), Felipe Lima (145.5)

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs Nicolas Dalby

Result: Rinat Fakhretdinov won via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Division/title: Welterweight
Referee: Thomas Fan
Weight: Rinat Fakhretdinov (170.5), Nicolas Dalby (171)

Kyung Ho Kang vs Muin Gafurov

Result: Muin Gafurov won via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Division/title: Bantamweight
Referee: Marc Goddard
Weight: Kyung Ho Kang (136), Muin Gafurov (136)

Magomed Gadzhiyasulov vs Brendson Ribeiro

Result: Magomed Gadzhiyasulov won via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Division/title: Light Heavyweight
Referee: Jason Herzog
Weight: Magomed Gadzhiyasulov (205), Brendson Ribeiro (205)

Xiao Long vs ChangHo Lee

Result: ChangHo Lee won via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Division/title: Bantamweight
Referee: Thomas Fan
Weight: Xiao Long (136), Chang Ho Lee (136)

CANCELED BOUTS

Shara Magomedov vs Ihor Potieria (Potieria pulled out due to unknown reason)
Said Nurmagomedov vs Montel Jackson (Nurmagomedov pulled out due to unknown reason)
Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev (Chimaev pulled out due to illness)
Abu Azaitar vs Denis Tiuliulin (Azaitar pulled out due to unknown reason)
Muhammad Naimov vs Melsik Baghdasaryan(Baghdasaryan pulled out due to torn labrum injury)
Sedriques Dumas vs Denis Tiuliulin (Dumas had to pull out due to visa and flight issues)
Farid Basharat vs Montel Jackson (Basharat pulled out due to unknown reason)
Shara Magomedov vs Joilton Lutterbach (Lutterbach pulled out due to a failed Urine Test)
Farid Basharat vs Montel Jackson (Basharat pulled out due to unknown reason)

EVENT NOTES

In October 2023, UFC announced it’s first event to take place in Saudi Arabia on March 2, 2024. However, in January 2024, it was reported that Saudi Arabia Authority were not happy with the quality of card for the event. Later, it was announced that the event would be postponed to June 22, 2024, to ensure the availability of the best caliber of talent to be available for the event. The event is set to air on ABC network on TV in United States.

On March 28, 2024, UFC President Dana White announced the complete main card for the event via social media. A #1 contender bout for UFC Middleweight Championship between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev was announced as the main event. On June 13, White announced that Chimaev had to pull out of the event after he was hospitalized due to illness. Islam Aliskerov came in as a replacement.

Sharabutdin Magomedov and Ihor Potieria were set to clash in a middleweight bout at the event. But, Potieria was later booked to face Michel Pereira at UFC 301. UFC Debutant Joilton Lutterbach came in as a replacement. During the fight week, Lutterbach announced that he failed a Urine Test and was, therefore, removed from the bout against Magomedov. Antonio Trócoli came in as his replacement.

Said Nurmagomedov vs Montel Jackson bantamweight bout was set for the event. Nurmagomedov pulled out of the bout with undisclosed reasons. Farid Basharat was announced as his replacement but he also pulled out of the bout during the fight week.

Muhammad Naimov was set to face Melsik Baghdasaryan in a featherweight bout at the event. Baghdasaryan suffered a torn labrum injury just a week before the event. Felipe Lima signed with UFC to debut against Naimov to replace Baghdasaryan.

Sedriques Dumas and Denis Tiuliulin were booked for a middleweight bout at the event. Dumas posted on X(Twitter) during the fight week that the fight was off due to visa and flight issues.

Debut: Xiao Long, ChangHo Lee, Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, Felipe Lima, Antonio Trócoli

UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Night: Whittaker vs Aliskerov, June 22, 2024