UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov preview as former champion returns

Israel Adesanya is set to make his highly anticipated return to the UFC, facing Nassourdine Imavov in a middleweight showdown at UFC Fight Night 250 on February 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The event marks the promotion's second visit to the city and the first since UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. Aliskerov in June 2024.

Adesanya, a former two-time UFC middleweight champion, seeks to reestablish himself at the top of the division after his last defeat to champion Dricus du Plessis back in August at UFC 305.

Imavov, ranked among the division's top contenders, looks to capitalize on the biggest opportunity of his career with a victory over one of the sport’s most dynamic strikers.

The event’s main card also features a high-profile middleweight bout between Sharabutdin Magomedov and former Bellator standout Michael Page, as well as a heavyweight clash between Sergei Pavlovich and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Bantamweight contender Said Nurmagomedov faces Vinicius Oliveira, while Farès Ziam takes on Mike Davis in a lightweight bout. The featherweight division will also see Muhammad Naimov square off against Kaan Ofli.

The preliminary card includes heavyweight matchups featuring Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen and Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues.

Other bouts include Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović at lightweight, Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva in a women's flyweight fight, and Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander at featherweight.

Several fights originally expected for the event have been canceled. A middleweight bout between Ikram Aliskerov and André Muniz was scrapped due to Muniz’s ongoing visa issues.

UFC Fight Night 250 will air on ESPN+ and is scheduled to begin at 10:00 PM GMT+5.