UFC Fight Night predictions for Adesanya vs. Imavov main card and prelims

Check out predictions for every fight at UFC Saudi Arabia.

Timothy D. Easley/Special to the Courier-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

The UFC returns this Saturday with a UFC Fight Night event in Saudi Arabia, and MMA KO’s Drew Beaupré is here to provide predictions for the entire 11-fight card.

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia Main Card

Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov

Adesanya’s first non-title bout since 2019 has the two-time champion staring down the prospect of three-straight losses after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in his MMA career.

Israel Adesanya during his fight with Sean Strickland at UFC 293 at Qudos Bank Arena. / Jasmin Frank-Imagn Images

There are plenty of question marks around Adesanya following his losses to Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis, but unless those results have absolutely shattered his confidence I have a hard time picturing how Imavov beats him if this fight largely takes place on the feet.

(Pick: Adesanya)

Israel Adesanya makes easy pick between Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev

Shara Magomedov vs. Michael Page

I understand the thought process behind this matchup, but stylistically there’s a very real chance that this and/or the Adesanya vs. Imavov and Pavlovich vs. Rozenstruik fights play out as slow-paced kickboxing matches.

Michael Page fights Ian Machado Garry during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Expectations for Magomedov are obviously high at the moment after his Knockout of the Year contender against Armen Petrosyan, and while Page likely won’t test the Russian’s grappling I do think he can outland him if the two men are content to strike at range for the duration of the fight.

(Pick: Page)

Sergei Pavlovich vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik

As I alluded to above, this could end up being a fairly lackluster fight if it doesn’t end with a big knockout in the opening few minutes.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik fights Jailton Almeida in a heavyweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Spectrum Center. / Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Pavlovich is obviously a serious threat to end things in the early going if Rozenstruik isn’t careful, but things could swing in favor of “Bigi Boy” if the fight goes past the opening round.

(Pick: Rozenstruik)

Said Nurmagomedov vs. Vinicius Oliveira

Nurmagomedov’s first outing since 2023 pits him against a relative newcomer to the UFC and a dangerous finishing threat.

Ricky Simon fights Vinicius Oliveira during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Oliveira’s takedown defense will certainly be tested and he’ll have to be wary of Nurmagomedov’s guillotine choke, but I think “Lok Dog” is capable of pulling off a minor upset that would bring his UFC record to 3-0.

(Pick: Oliveira)

Dana White comments on possibility of UFC signing ex-Bellator champion from PFL

Farez Ziam vs. Mike Davis

This fight has rightfully been getting a lot of attention from fans in the lead up to UFC Saudi Arabia, as it’s a matchup between two of the UFC’s underrated lightweights.

Mike Davis after his fight against Thomas Gifford during UFC Fight Night at Amalie Arena. / Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Davis has long-been touted as a divisional dark horse but has struggled to stay healthy, and even though he faces a tough test in Ziam I’ll take “Beast Boy” to secure back-to-back wins inside of a year for the first time since 2019.

(Pick: Davis)

UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia Preliminary Card

Muhammad Naimov vs. Kaan Ofli

Muhammad Naimov during his fight with Nathaniel Wood at UFC 294. / (Zuffa LLC)

Coming off the first loss of his UFC career following a 3-0 start in the promotion, Naimov is rightfully favored to defeat Ofli and should return to the win column here.

(Pick: Naimov)

Shamil Gaziev vs. Thomas Petersen

Shamil Gaziev fights Martin Buday during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

I don’t love how heavily favored Gaziev is to win this, but I also don’t think Petersen has the skillset necessary to score an upset-win against him the way Rozenstruik did last March.

(Pick: Gaziev)

Terrance McKinney vs. Damir Hadžović

Damir Hadzovic fights Christos Giagos at Ericsson Globe. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

Fans know exactly what to expect from McKinney at this point, but if Hadžović is able to shake off any potential ring rust quickly and not get stopped in the early going then I think he’s fully capable of pulling off an upset here.

(Pick: Hadžović)

Dricus du Plessis reacts to Alex Pereira cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312

Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Mayra Bueno Silva

Mayra Bueno Silva fights Macy Chiasson during UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

This fight absolutely deserves to be on the main card given its significance for the women’s flyweight division, and while Jasudavicius has looked impressive on her recent run I’m going to slightly lean with Bueno Silva to get the win in her return to the weight class.

(Pick: Bueno Silva)

Bogdan Grad vs. Lucas Alexander

Bogdan Grad kicks Michael Aswell in a featherweight fight during Dana White's Contender Series. / (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Alexander should be fighting with some significant desperation after going 1-2 in his first three UFC bouts and missing weight for this matchup, but the debuting Grad has the finishing skills needed to cause serious problems for the Brazilian.

(Pick: Grad)

Hamdy Abdelwahab vs. Jamal Pogues

Jamal Pogues fights Mick Parkin during a UFC Fight Night at O2 Arena. / Per Haljestam-Imagn Images

With the odds a dead heat and little to separate these two heavyweights, I have to side with the more experienced fighter in Pogues.

(Pick: Pogues)

UFC star Israel Adesanya shares obscene training tactic ahead of Imavov fight

MMA KO will be providing comprehensive coverage for UFC Fight Night Saudi Arabia all throughout fight week, and be sure to check back on our homepage for a preview of the event as well as live results and highlights on fight night.

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