The UFC’s first Middle Eastern card of 2025 is set to be headlined by a pivotal matchup in the middleweight division when New Zealand’s own Israel Adesanya battles up-and-coming French contender Nassourdine Imavov in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.
Setting the table for this high-stakes matchup is another 185-lb scrap that promises to be an entertaining one, as Shara Magomedov takes on previous Bellator megastar Michael Page in the UFC Saudi Arabia co-main event.
Having once held the middleweight championship, and defended it five times, Adesanya is easily one of the greatest fighters the weight class has ever seen. While this will be his first non-title bout in almost six years, “The Last Stylebender” may not be far from another shot at the strap should he get the win in UFC Saudi Arabia.
For the past two years, Imavov has looked nothing short of impeccable in his last four contests, taking key victories over Roman Dolidze, Jared Cannonier and Brendan Allen. With a championship opportunity seemingly in his grasp, “The Russian Sniper” may vault his way to the front of the line if he manages to beat the living legend put in front of him on Saturday in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event.
After making his UFC debut in 2023, Magomedov has gone on to become a budding star in the realm of mixed martial arts. Possessing a fan-friendly kickboxing style honed by his years as an accomplished Muay Thai fighter, “Bullet” is without a doubt one of the most popular competitors on the roster as he looks to make his up the top-15 with a win in UFC Saudi Arabia.
Cementing his place as a ranked athlete with a debut win over Kevin Holland, Page moves up to middleweight for the first time in his UFC tenure. Fresh off a loss to Ian Machado Garry last year, “Venom” can lay claim to being one of the few men in the promotion who are ranked in two classes if he gets the win this weekend.
More Bouts On the UFC Saudi Arabia Main Card
Heavyweight knockout sensation Sergei Pavlovich seeks to end a two-fight skid with a victory versus kickboxing veteran Jairzinho Rozenstruik. Returning after a year-long layoff, Said Nurmagomedov comes to blows with Brazilian bantamweight bruiser Vinicius Oliveira.
Then to open the UFC Saudi Arabia main card, Tajikistan representative Fares Ziam squares off with Mike Davis, who is coming back after a lengthy struggle with the injury bug.
UFC Saudi Arabia Betting Predictions and Staff Picks
MMASucka staff picks are composed of four of the world’s leading mixed martial arts organizations: the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Professional Fighters League (PFL) with Bellator MMA, ONE Championship (ONE FC), and Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS).
- UFC picks will include main card fights ranging from four to six matchups per event.
- PFL picks from main cards for pay-per-views and from tournament fights in the Regular Season, Playoffs, and Finals.
- ONE FC and DWCS picks will feature all MMA fights from the event with a minimum of three matchups.
The individual who picks the most victorious fighters by the end of 2025 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or a detailed chain from Championship Chains. Staff picks in 2023 were won by Ben Jamieson with a record of 300-148.
Find our UFC Saudi Arabia picks and fight odds below.
Staff records after PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes:
- Michael Hernandez: 1-5
- Jeremy Brand: 5-10
- Michael DeSantis: -10
- Frazer Krohn: 4-11
- Andrew Benjamin: 4-12
- Paul Browne: 3-7
- Hank Strandberg: 4-12
- Drew Zuhosky: 3-13
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Mike Davis -148
Vs.
Fares Ziam +124
LIGHTWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Paul Browne: Davis by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Davis: 6
Staff picking Ziam: 0
Said Nurmagomedov -170
Vs.
Vinicius Oliveira +142
BANTAMWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Oliveira by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Nurmagomedov by first round Knockout
Andrew Benjamin: Nurmagomedov by Unanimous Decision
Frazer Krohn: Oliveira by Unanimous Decision
Paul Browne: Nurmagomedov by second round Submission
Staff picking Nurmagomedov: 4
Staff picking Oliveira: 2
Sergei Pavlovich -290
Vs.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik +235
HEAVYWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Pavlovich by second round Knockout
Hank Strandberg: Pavlovich by first round Knockout
Drew Zuhosky: Rozenstruik by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Rozenstruik by first round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Pavlovich by second round Knockout
Paul Browne: Pavlovich by third round Knockout
Staff picking Pavlovich: 4
Staff picking Rozenstruik: 2
Shara Magomedov -198
Vs.
Michael Page +164
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Page by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Page by third round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Magomedov by Unanimous Decision
Paul Browne: Page by first round Knockout
Staff picking Magomedov: 3
Staff picking Page: 3
Israel Adesanya -155
Vs.
Nassourdine Imavov +130
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Jeremy Brand: Adesanya by Unanimous Decision
Hank Strandberg: Adesanya by Unanimous Decision
Drew Zuhosky: Adesanya by Unanimous Decision
Andrew Benjamin: Adesanya by second round Knockout
Frazer Krohn: Adesanya by Unanimous Decision
Paul Browne: Adesanya by Unanimous Decision
Staff picking Adesanya: 6
Staff picking Imavov: 0