Israel Adesanya’s return to the UFC could be taking shape, with the former middleweight champion reportedly being lined up for a November showdown with Shara “Bullet” Magomedov in Qatar.
The two fighters are reportedly being considered for the main event of UFC Qatar on November 21 at the ABHA Arena in Doha.
Russian reports claim the bout could be contested over five rounds, although the UFC has not officially announced the matchup.
The promotion has confirmed that it will stage an event in Qatar on November 21, but no fight has yet been formally attached to the card.
Magomedov has previously made no secret of his desire to face Adesanya.
After defeating Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 in October 2024, the Russian called out the former champion and recalled their connection through the kickboxing scene in China.
Magomedov said he had followed Adesanya during their time competing there and had wanted the opportunity to face him.
The Russian has continued to build momentum since then.
He defeated Michel Pereira by unanimous decision at UFC Baku on June 27, improving his professional record to 17-1 and earning the No. 15 spot in the UFC middleweight rankings.
Adesanya enters the reported matchup from a very different run of form.
The 37-year-old has suffered four straight defeats, with Joe Pyfer stopping him by technical knockout in the second round of their most recent meeting.
The setback extended a difficult spell that has seen Adesanya win just once across his last six fights.
His career has also undergone a major change outside the Octagon.
Adesanya left City Kickboxing in July after spending 16 years at the gym alongside coach Eugene Bareman.
He has since been spotted training at Alexander Volkanovski’s gym in Wollongong, Australia.
A video shared by one of his nutritionists also showed Adesanya back in camp, adding to speculation that his next fight could be approaching.
Despite his recent results, Adesanya has insisted that he is not ready to let the current chapter define his career.
The former champion said in June that he wanted the opportunity to shape the ending of his story on his own terms.
“I don’t want this to be the writing of my story,” he said.
While the UFC has yet to confirm the fight, a clash with Magomedov would give Adesanya another opportunity to return to action and attempt to change the direction of his recent run.
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