Israel Adesanya could be heading back to the Octagon sooner than expected, and he may already have a new opponent lined up. Despite suffering four consecutive losses and making a major change to his coaching setup earlier this year, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion appears to be moving toward his next fight.
Adesanya revealed in July that he was leaving longtime coach Eugene Bareman and City Kickboxing. The decision came during a difficult period in his career, but the Nigerian-born New Zealander has shown no intention of calling it quits just yet.
Now, a potential matchup with Shara Magomedov could be on the horizon. Reports suggest the UFC is planning to book the two middleweights for the main event of its upcoming Saudi Arabia card.
Israel Adesanya Looks to Snap Four-Fight Losing Streak in Next UFC Appearance
Veteran MMA journalist Ariel Helwani recently reported on The Ariel Helwani Show that Adesanya is expected to face Magomedov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5, 2026. However, the UFC has yet to officially confirm either the matchup or the event date.
There is room on the promotion’s calendar for the rumored card. UFC Qatar is scheduled for November 21, while UFC 335 is set to take place on December 12, leaving December 5 as a possible date for the Saudi Arabia event.
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Before Helwani’s report surfaced, veteran reporter Kevin K also suggested on X that Adesanya would headline the card, although he pointed to November 28 as a potential date. With conflicting dates circulating, fans will have to wait for the UFC to make things official.
For Adesanya, this could be a crucial fight as he attempts to stop the slide that has seen him lose four straight bouts. His most recent defeat came at UFC Seattle, where Joe Pyfer overwhelmed him with ground-and-pound before securing a second-round stoppage at Climate Pledge Arena.
Another loss would raise further questions about Adesanya’s future among the division’s elite. However, a strong performance against Magomedov could help the former champion regain some momentum and remind fans what he can still do inside the Octagon.
Magomedov, meanwhile, has already made his interest in the matchup clear. Known to fans as “Shara Bullet,” the Russian called out Adesanya after beating Michel Pereira at UFC Baku in June.
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That victory extended Magomedov’s UFC record to six wins and marked his second consecutive victory. His biggest test came against Michael Page, who handed him a convincing defeat, but the Russian has since bounced back with wins over Marc-Andre Barriault and Pereira.
A fight against Adesanya would give Magomedov a major opportunity to prove himself against one of the most recognizable names in the sport. For the former champion, it would be a chance to silence the doubters and get his career back on track.
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