{"id":937160,"date":"2026-10-22T17:52:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T17:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/937160\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T17:52:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T17:52:12","slug":"ufc-saudi-arabia-adds-banger-fight-to-support-israel-adesanya-main-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/937160\/","title":{"rendered":"UFC Saudi Arabia Adds Banger Fight to Support Israel Adesanya Main Event"},"content":{"rendered":"

A pair of promising welterweight contenders are set to meet at UFC Saudi Arabia following big finishes in their respective UFC debuts.<\/p>\n

The Middle East is set to host several events during the final few months of the UFC\u2019s 2026 schedule, and this week the promotion is in Abu Dhabi for a stacked UFC 333 card<\/a> that features two title fights. <\/p>\n

The promotion will also return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for a UFC Fight Night event on December 5, which is headlined by a huge matchup between two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya and Shara Magomedov.<\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov vs. Levan Chokheli Added to UFC Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n

A handful of other fights outside of the main event have also been set for UFC Saudi Arabia, and this week Marcel Dorff<\/a> confirmed that Islam Dulatov will take on Levan Chokheli following an initial report from Connected MMA. <\/p>\n

Boasting a 12-1 record, every one of Dulatov\u2019s wins in professional MMA have come via stoppage following a 4-1 amateur career that only featured one decision.<\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov (blue gloves) walks on after defeating Adam Fugitt (red gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

After dropping his 2019 debut via unanimous decision, Dulatov rebounded with nine-straight finishes before he also won a one-off boxing bout with Legacy Crossover Fight Night in 2023.<\/p>\n

\"Islam<\/p>\n

Islam Dulatov (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Adam Fugitt (red gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Ripper\u201d followed that up with a buzzer-beater finish in the first round of his debut fight with Oktagon MMA, which earned Dulatov an invitation to fight for a UFC contract on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series later that year. <\/p>\n

\"Adam<\/p>\n

Adam Fugitt (red gloves) fights against Islam Dulatov (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

After securing a contract from Dana White with a first-round knockout, Dulatov debuted at UFC 318 and secured a \u201cPerformance of the Night\u201d bonus when he also knocked out Adam Fugitt in the opening round. <\/p>\n

Levan Chokheli Won UFC Debut With 23-Second Finish in June<\/p>\n

Dulatov was scheduled to make his second UFC appearance against Wellington Turman<\/a> in July before withdrawing due to illness, and now he\u2019ll return to face Chokheli in Saudi Arabia following the latter fight\u2019s own impressive debut. <\/p>\n

A seven-fight veteran of Bellator MMA, Chokheli left the promotion on a loss in 2024 after being knocked out by UFC veteran and former Bellator title challenger Lorenz Larkin.<\/p>\n

The Georgian rebounded with a finish in the main event of Phoenix FC 4 in Germany, which was enough for the UFC to sign Chokheli outright for a matchup with fellow UFC debutant Leon Shahbazyan in June. <\/p>\n

Chokheli only needed 23 seconds to dispatch Shahbazyan<\/a>, which brought his overall MMA record to 15-3 heading into his next UFC outing with Dulatov. <\/p>\n

UFC Saudi Arabia Fight Card<\/p>\n

Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Shara Magomedov<\/p>\n

Jafel Filho vs. Bruno Silva<\/p>\n

Matthieu Duclos vs. Modestino Rodrigues<\/p>\n

Abdul Hussein vs. Hecher Sosa<\/p>\n

Levan Chokheli vs. Islam Dulatov<\/p>\n

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