Khamzat Chimaev (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

The UFC has announced several fights that will be part of the promotion’s first card in Saudi Arabia, including a pivotal middleweight bout between former champ Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev.

Recently, UFC President Dana White announced that the Chimaev – Whittaker fight will headline the event, which will take place on June 22nd. The card will be broadcast in the U.S. on ABC.

Whittaker (25-7) is coming off a decision win over Paulo Costa in February, which followed his stoppage loss to Dricus Du Plessis in July.

Chimaev (13-0) recorded a tightly contested, decision win over Kamaru Usman in October. Prior to that, Chimaev submitted Kevin Holland in the opening round of their bout in September, 2022.

In addition, White confirmed that Alexander Volkov will battle fellow heavyweight contender, Sergey Pavlovich. In addition, welterweights Kelvin Gastelum and Daniel Rodriguez will square off, and a bout between light heavyweights Volkan Oezdemir and Johnny Walker will also be featured.

A light heavyweight bout between  Shara Magomedov (“Shara Bullet”) and Ihor Potieria has also been added to the card.