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In a monumental showdown, Khamzat Chimaev is set to take on Robert Whittaker in a middleweight No. 1 contender's bout, serving as the headline event for the inaugural UFC card in Saudi Arabia on June 22.
The announcement was made by UFC CEO Dana White, who revealed a total of five exciting matchups for the UFC Saudi Arabia event. Alongside the highly anticipated Chimaev vs. Whittaker clash, fans can look forward to a thrilling co-main event featuring Sergei Pavlovich facing off against Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight showdown.
The fight card also includes a welterweight showdown between Kelvin Gastelum and Daniel Rodriguez, as well as Johnny Walker's return to action against Volkan Oezdemir in another intriguing matchup. Rounding out the announced fights is a light heavyweight bout between Sharabutdin Magomedov, also known as Shara Bullet and Ihor Potieria.
This event marks a significant milestone in the UFC's expansion into new territories, forging a partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to showcase top-tier mixed martial arts talent in the Middle East.
For Chimaev, this bout represents his return to the Octagon after a thrilling victory over former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. With an unblemished record of 13-0 and a string of impressive wins in the UFC, Chimaev aims to solidify his position as a formidable contender in the middleweight division.
Standing in his way is none other than Robert Whittaker, a former middleweight champion, coming off a notable win against Paulo Costa. Whittaker's experience and skill make him a formidable opponent for Chimaev, setting the stage for a highly anticipated clash of titans in Saudi Arabia.
Stay tuned for more updates and additional fight announcements leading up to the historic UFC Saudi Arabia event.