.png)
Australia's own Kaan Ofli (11-3-1) is set to make his long-awaited official UFC debut this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov. Ahead of his first fight on one of the sport’s biggest stages, Ofli has been training alongside former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, gaining invaluable experience from one of the best strikers in MMA history.
Speaking to Australian MMA, Adesanya had high praise for Ofli, describing him as a "beast" and a relentless fighter who thrives under pressure.
Ofli’s preparation has been bolstered by his work with Adesanya, who is set to return to Fight Night action for the first time since 2018. While the two had crossed paths before, this marked the first full fight camp they shared.
"Kaan's a beast," Adesanya said. "He's a guy that's in your face. He really knows how to flow and throw a lot of damage at people."
Adesanya also revealed that Ofli played a crucial role in pushing him during the physically demanding aspects of camp, particularly endurance training.
"This camp, me and him did together. I'm glad he came through. And yeah, he pushed me. He pushed me a lot on the physical stuff, when it comes to hill sprints and endurance."
Hitting his stride at a more seasoned stage in his career, Ofli gained widespread recognition last year on The Ultimate Fighter 32, where he showcased his aggressive style and well-rounded skill set. Though he fell short in the finals, his standout performances earned him a well-deserved UFC contract.
Adesanya wasn’t surprised by his success on the show, having already witnessed Ofli’s potential firsthand.
"His performance on The Ultimate Fighter didn't surprise me at all. That was expected. He's a beast."
On Saturday, Ofli will step into the Octagon against Muhammad Naimov, a dangerous opponent with a strong record of 11-3, with three of those victories coming in the UFC. Naimov, known for his striking and explosiveness, presents a solid test for Ofli in his first UFC appearance.
But according to Adesanya, fans can expect fireworks from the Australian.
"I can't wait for him to kick it off this weekend," Adesanya said.
With the backing of one of the sport’s greatest, Ofli heads into his debut with confidence, experience, and a point to prove. Now, it’s time to see if he can deliver on the biggest stage.
