FEBRUARY 20, (THEWILL) – A highly anticipated UFC fight between middleweight stars Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev has been scheduled for June 23 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. This battle of experience versus youth promises to be an intriguing matchup that has already generated substantial hype and bold predictions from both fighters’ camps.
Adesanya will aim to regain his status as champion following a disappointing loss last year to Sean Strickland that saw him relinquish the middleweight belt. Meanwhile, the cocky and undefeated Chimaev sees this as an opportunity to display his skills and score the biggest win of his young but promising career so far. Their contrasting backgrounds and styles all point to a can’t-miss contest.
At 34 years of age, Adesanya is the veteran heading into this fight, having competed professionally since 2011 across various organisations like the UFC, Glory and Kunlun Fight. His record stands at an impressive 24 wins against just 3 losses, and he is a former two-time UFC middleweight champion. However, his aura of invincibility was shattered last autumn when the upstart Strickland dominated their title fight, so Adesanya is seeking redemption.
In the opposite corner, the 27-year-old Chimaev has shot up the UFC ranks since debuting in 2018, using an aggressive, fan-friendly style to remain undefeated. He has chiefly fought as a welterweight but will move up to take on Adesanya here. Hailing originally from Chechnya but now representing the UAE, Chimaev is brimming with self-belief and has made no secret of his ambitions to take over the division.
This fight promises to attract worldwide interest from UFC fans, with tickets expected to sell out fast. Kingdom Arena will host the event, with the main card scheduled to be the highlight. Fans can currently purchase tickets through the organiser’s website, with both online and cash payment options available.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
