The Al Nassr striker and former Real Madrid legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, was a VIP guest at UFC Fight Night held at the ANB Arena in Riyadh. The Portuguese superstar watched as French middleweight Nassourdine Imanov delivered a shocking knockout victory over former UFC champion Israel Adesanya in the main event.
Imanov's Victory Puts Him in Title Contention
Imanov’s emphatic win over Adesanya has propelled him into the UFC title picture. With the middleweight championship rematch between current champion Dricus Du Plessis and Sean Strickland scheduled for Saturday, February 8, in Sydney, Australia, Imanov may find himself in line for a title shot in the near future.
Ronaldo Focused on Magomedov vs. Page
While the main event was a major highlight, Ronaldo’s primary interest lay in the co-main event featuring Russian fighter Shara Magomedov against British striker Michael Page. The two have developed a friendship, and Magomedov had previously expressed his excitement about Ronaldo’s presence at the fight.
Ronaldo and Magomedov’s Special Connection
Ahead of the event, Ronaldo and Magomedov took part in a special promotional shoot where the Russian fighter posed with two Al Nassr jerseys—one bearing each of their names. Magomedov shared his gratitude on Instagram, stating:
"You are a great pride for us, athletes. Thank you for your time, you gave me great motivation. I’m waiting for you on February 1st at my UFC fight in Saudi Arabia."
Magomedov had previously revealed in an interview that Ronaldo had shown faith in his potential, saying, “Cristiano told me he believes in my potential and that he would come to support me in the fight.”
Magomedov Suffers First UFC Defeat
Despite Ronaldo’s support, Magomedov’s night ended in disappointment as he suffered his first loss in the UFC since debuting in 2017. Michael Page secured a unanimous decision victory after a tense, tactical battle, leaving Magomedov with a 15-1 professional record.
The high-profile event in Riyadh, featuring football and combat sports stars, has once again highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports landscape.