Overview
UFC Saudi Arabia results
In the heart of Riyadh, UFC Saudi Arabia delivered an unforgettable night of high-octane action and jaw-dropping moments that left fans on the edge of their seats. From Robert Whittaker’s stunning knockout to Alexander Volkov’s gritty victory, the event showcased the best of mixed martial arts in the Kingdom.
Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov : Main event
Robert Whittaker defeated Ikram Aliskerov via Knockout
The main event saw former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker face off against Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker wasted no time in asserting his dominance, landing a devastating punch that sent Aliskerov crashing to the canvas. Referee Marc Goddard stepped in to put an end to the fight after two follow-up shots, awarding Whittaker the knockout victory at 1:49 of the first round.
Robert Whittaker vs. Khamazt Chimaev was scheduled to be the UFC Saudi Arabia main event. The fight was called off because Chimaev was hospitalized due to illness, which prevented him from competing. Because of this, Ikram Aliskerov—who was scheduled to face Antonio Trocoli at UFC Vegas 93 last week—stepped in to take the fight instead of the Saudi Arabian event.
Sergei Pavlovich vs. Alexander Volkov : Co-main event
Alexander Volkov defeated Sergei Pavlovich via unanimous decision.
Alexander Volkov put on a technical masterclass against Sergei Pavlovich in the co-main event. From the very opening, Volkov utilised his superior reach and precision to keep Pavlovich at bay, peppering him with a mix of leg kicks, front kicks, and a stiff jab.
The first round set the tone for the rest of the fight. Volkov started with a series of leg kicks and a powerful body kick that immediately put Pavlovich on the defensive. Pavlovich responded with a jab, but Volkov was quick to counter with another leg kick and a body kick that sent Pavlovich reeling. Volkov continued to land his shots from range, frustrating Pavlovich, who struggled to close the distance despite his reach advantage.
In the second round, Volkov maintained his control of the distance, peppering Pavlovich with jabs and leg kicks. Pavlovich tried to force his way inside, but Volkov was quick to evade and return to his range game. Pavlovich landed a couple of hard shots, but Volkov was able to back out of range and continue his assault with leg kicks.
The final round saw Volkov continue to outmanoeuvre Pavlovich every chance he got, and the frustration looked obvious on Pavlovich’s face. Pavlovich, desperate for a knockout, swung wildly but was unable to land anything significant. Volkov’s jab continued to land with precision, bloodying Pavlovich’s nose and face. The fight unfolded as a strategic chess match, with Volkov dictating range and tempo. His ability to land the jab consistently not only scored points but also bloodied Pavlovich’s nose, adding a visible testament to Volkov’s striking accuracy.
In the end, the judges’ scores were 30-27, 30-27, and 30-27, giving a unanimous decision in favour of Volkov.
The tension has been there between the two contenders right from the beginning of the press conference, when Alexander Volkov accused Sergei Pavlovich of throwing shades at him, leading him to sign the contract.
Even after the match, the animosity from Pavlovich’s side was clear when Volkov tried to speak with him in the octagon, and Pavlovich just pushed him back and walked away.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Kelvin Gastelum defeated Daniel Rodriguez via unanimous decision.
In the opening round, Gastelum showcased his aggressive style, pressing forward and landing a series of leg kicks that kept Rodriguez on the defensive. Rodriguez responded with a sharp jab, but Gastelum’s pressure and combination of jabs and low kicks allowed him to control the pace. A brilliant combo from Rodriguez momentarily disrupted Gastelum’s rhythm, but Gastelum quickly regained control with hard hooks and a relentless attack.
The second round saw Gastelum continue to dominate with his leg kicks and jabs. Rodriguez struggled to land clean shots, while Gastelum’s effective defence and counter-attacks kept him in control. Gastelum’s takedown and ground control further solidified his dominance in the round.
In the final round, Gastelum maintained his pressure with leg kicks and jabs. Rodriguez managed to land a good counter left, but Gastelum’s relentless attack and takedowns kept him in control. Gastelum’s ground-and-pound and control in the final minute of the round sealed the deal, showcasing his superior grappling and control.
In the end, the judges’ scores were 29-28, 30-27 and 30-27, giving a unanimous decision in favour of Gastelum in a changed “middleweight bout“.
Shara Magomedov defeated Antonio Trocoli
Shara Magomedov defeated Antonio Trocoli via 3rd Round Knockout.
In the first round, Shara Magomedov set the pace with a series of leg kicks that kept Antonio Trocoli at bay. Trocoli responded with a right hand and attempted to press Magomedov against the cage, but Magomedov’s leg kicks and control on the outside allowed him to maintain distance.
In the second round, Magomedov continued to dominate with his leg kicks, frustrating Trocoli who struggled to land any significant shots. Trocoli attempted to take Magomedov down but was unsuccessful, and Magomedov’s control against the cage and short arm shots kept him in control.
In the final round, Magomedov’s leg kicks continued to be a significant factor, and a head kick partially landed, further frustrating Trocoli. Magomedov’s left and right hands began to connect, and a powerful right hand finally dropped Trocoli, securing the victory for Magomedov.
At the end, before the 3rd round knockout, the judges’ scores were 19-19, 20-18 and 20-18, all in favour of Shara Magomedov. This win over Antonio Trocoli marks Magomedov’s 12th victory in a row after his UFC debut.
Other main card matches
Volkan Oezdemir defeated Johnny Walker via 1st Round Knockout.
Nasrat Haqparast edged out Jared Gordon in a split decision.
Preliminary card
Felipe Lima defeated Muhammad Naimov via rear-naked choke submission in the 3rd Round.
Rinat Fakhretdinov defeated Nicolas Dalby via split decision.
Muin Gafurov defeated Kang Kyung Ho via unanimous decision.
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov defeated Brendson Ribeiro via majority decision.
ChangHo Lee defeated Xiao Long via split decision.
UFC Saudi Arabia card
Main card results
1. Robert Whittaker defeated Ikram Aliskerov via knockout, Round 1
2. Alexander Volkov defeated Sergei Pavlovich via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
3. Kelvin Gastelum defeated Daniel Rodriguez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
4. Shara Magomedov defeated Antonio Trocoli via knockout, Round 3
5. Volkan Oezdemir defeated Johnny Walker via knockout, Round 1
6. Nasrat Haqparast defeated Jared Gordon via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary card results
1. Felipe Lima defeated Muhammad Naimov via submission (rear-naked choke) in Round 3
2. Rinat Fakhretdinov defeated Nicolas Dalby via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
3. Muin Gafurov defeated Kang Kyung Ho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
4. Magomed Gadzhiyasulov defeated Brendson Ribeiro via majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
5. Chang Ho Lee defeated Xiao Long via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
” I told everybody, I’m the boogeyman…” ~ Robert Whittaker
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