Adesanya to headline UFC Qatar in November

UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is scheduled to headline UFC Qatar on November 21, according to reports from Russian outlets. The bout will take place against Russia's Shara "Bullet" Magomedov at the ABHA Arena in Doha. The UFC has announced the event's return to Qatar on the given date, but has not yet revealed a specific fight for the card or confirmed the matchup.

Magomedov, who has expressed a desire for the fight since his victory over Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 in October 2024, stated in an interview with MMA Fighting that he used to follow Adesanya when both were kickboxing competitors in China. Adesanya, who is ranked No. 15 in the division, recently suffered a series of losses, including a second-round technical knockout to Joe Pyfer, and is currently 1-5 in his last six fights.

The 37-year-old recently parted ways with City Kickboxing after a 16-year tenure and has been training at Alexander Volkanovski's gym in Wollongong, Australia. Adesanya has stated that his determination to continue fighting stems from his desire to avoid having his career's final chapter portrayed negatively.