Adesanya to Headline UFC Qatar in November

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is reportedly set to headline UFC Qatar against Russia’s Shara “Bullet” Magomedov on November 21 in Doha.

The proposed five-round middleweight contest is expected to headline the UFC’s return to Qatar, with the event scheduled for the ABHA Arena.

UFC has officially confirmed its return to Doha on November 21, but the organisation has yet to formally announce the individual fights on the card.

Reports from Russia indicate that Adesanya and Magomedov are being lined up for the main event, although the matchup remains subject to official confirmation.

Magomedov has previously expressed his desire to fight Adesanya. The Russian called out the former champion after defeating Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 in October 2024.

Magomedov said he had followed Adesanya’s career from their days competing in kickboxing in China and had previously wanted to face the Nigerian-born fighter.

The 31-year-old Russian has built a 17-1 professional record and is currently ranked 15th in the UFC middleweight division.

He most recently defeated Michel Pereira by unanimous decision at UFC Baku on June 27.

Adesanya, meanwhile, is seeking to return to winning ways after a difficult period in his UFC career.

The 37-year-old former two-time middleweight champion has lost his last four fights, including a second-round technical knockout defeat to Joe Pyfer.

He has recorded only one victory in his last six bouts.

Adesanya also left City Kickboxing in July after spending 16 years with the New Zealand-based gym and coach Eugene Bareman.

Since then, he has been seen training at Alexander Volkanovski’s gym in Wollongong, Australia, with signs indicating that he has begun preparations for his next fight.

The proposed bout would provide Adesanya with an opportunity to return to the Octagon against a younger middleweight contender seeking to establish himself among the division’s leading names.

UFC’s return to Qatar will mark its second event in the country after the promotion made its Doha debut in November 2025.

The UFC has confirmed the November 21 date and venue, while the complete fight card is expected to be announced later.

If confirmed, Adesanya versus Magomedov would give the Qatar event a high-profile middleweight main event.