UFC: Khamzat Chimaev v Robert Whittaker to headline in Saudi Arabia on 22 June

[CharlieH]

 

Chechen-born Khamzat Chimaev faces Robert Whittaker in a middleweight title eliminator bout in Saudi Arabia on 22 June.

The middleweights will headline the UFC's first fight night in the Kingdom.

Chimaev, 29, is undefeated in 13 fights, but faces his toughest challenge yet against Australian former champion Whittaker.

The winner will face reigning champion and South Africa's Dricus du Plessis later this year.

Also on the undercard is an all-Russian heavyweight contest between Alexander Volkov and Sergei Pavlovich.

The UFC were due to hold their fight event in Saudi Arabia in March.

 

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It will be the second major MMA event in the region in 2024 after the Professional Fighters League (PFL) held their first fight night there in February.

The investment in MMA events sees Saudi Arabia continue to plough money into sport, although the country has long been criticised for using sport to deflect conversation away from its poor human rights record.

 

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