LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 03: UFC president Dana White (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The UFC Saudi Arabia card is limping to Saturday, February 1. Between January 26-27, two fights have been canceled for separate reasons.
UFC Saudi Arabia – Muniz Vs. Aliskerov Called Off
On Sunday, Andre Muniz informed fans he was forced to pull out of his fight with Ikram Aliskerov due to visa issues. Muniz had hoped to re-establish the momentum he had in 2019 when he broke into the UFC as a winner on the Dana White Contender Series.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 08: Andre Muniz of Brazil poses on the scale during the UFC Fight … [+]
However, he’ll have to plan his resurgence for another time. Likewise, Aliskerov wanted to bounce back from his first-round KO loss to Robert Whittaker in June 2024.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JUNE 22: Ikram Aliskerov of Russia prepares to face Robert Whittaker of New … [+]
The latest cancellation marked the second time the two men had been scheduled to fight, only to have it called off.
UFC Saudi Arabia – Al-Selwady vs. Oki Called Off
On Monday, the Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Bolaji Oki fight was canceled. Al-Selwady broke the news about his opponent pulling out of the fight.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 01: Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night … [+]
It seems Al-Selwady wasn’t meant to fight on this card. He was originally scheduled to face Jordan Leavitt on this card, but the latter pulled out as well.
The 29-year-old Al-Selwady is eager to get into the Octagon. Like Muniz and many other fighters, Al-Selwady earned his spot on the roster on an episode of Dana White Contender Series. Unfortunately for Al-Selwady, he lost his main-roster debut to Loik Radzhabov via third-round KO in March 2024.
The pressure will be on Al-Selwady to win in his next fight, no matter who he faces.
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 27: Bolaji Oki of Belgium poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night … [+]
Oki earned his spot on the roster during the same season of DWCS as Al-Selwady. However, he got off to a solid start with a split-decision win over Timmy Cuamba in February 2024.
In his last fight, Oki ran into a buzz saw. Chris Duncan submitted Oki in the first round, making the latter’s next fight an important one for his career moving forward.
As it is, both men will need to reschedule. Thankfully, the main and co-main events for UFC Saudi Arabia are still in place. Israel Adesanya is going to attempt to make one more run at the title, but he’ll need to defeat Nassourdine Imavov first.
Middleweight up-and-comer Shara Magomedov will get his stiffest challenge yet against veteran striker Michael “Venom” Page in the co-main event.
Updated UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Card:
- Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Sharabutdin Magomedov vs. Michael Page – Middleweight (185 lbs)
- Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira – Bantamweight (135 lbs)
- Ikram Aliskerov vs. André Muniz – Middleweight (185 lbs) – CANCELED
- Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Fares Ziam vs. Mike Davis – Lightweight (155 lbs)
- Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva – Flyweight (125 lbs)
- Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander – Featherweight (145 lbs)
- Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues – Heavyweight (265 lbs)
- Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady vs. Bolaji Oki – Lightweight (155 lbs) – CANCELED
Stay tuned for fight week coverage leading up to the event.
