WBC middleweight world champion Carlos Adames will face Welsh southpaw Gerome Warburton in a 10-round main event on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The highly anticipated bout, contested at a contract weight of 165 pounds, headlines RIYADH SEASON ZUFFA BOXING 13 at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This significant card also features Australian former world champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney in the bantamweight co-feature.
The matchup represents a strategic move for Carlos Adames, whose WBC title is not on the line but faces repercussions if he loses. For Gerome Warburton, it’s an opportunity to catapult himself into the world title picture after a strong resurgence in 2026.
Clash at catchweight: Carlos Adames defends his WBC standing
The event marks Zuffa Boxing’s debut in Saudi Arabia, a country rapidly establishing itself as a premier destination for major combat sports spectacles.
The main event pits Carlos Adames, with an impressive professional record of 25-1-1 (18 KOs), against Gerome Warburton, who holds an 18-2-2 record (2 KOs). While not a title defense, the WBC middleweight world champion received special permission to compete in this non-title bout at the 165-pound catchweight. Adames, often called “Caballo Bronco,” currently stands as The Ring’s No. 1-ranked middleweight.
The stakes are surprisingly high for the Dominican champion. If Adames suffers a defeat, his WBC middleweight title will be immediately declared vacant. Conversely, a victory ensures that his mandatory challenger, Meiirim Nursultanobv, will be his next opponent. This unusual arrangement adds a layer of tension to a fight that might otherwise be seen as a tune-up for a fighter of Adames’ calibre.
Adames returns to the ring less than eight months after his dominant third title defense against Austin “Ammo” Williams. He has remained unbeaten in his last eight bouts, showcasing consistent performance at the elite level. His orthodox stance and potent knockout power, reflected in his 72% KO rate, make him a formidable opponent for any middleweight contender.
Zuffa Boxing makes its Saudi Arabian debut amidst Riyadh Season
RIYADH SEASON ZUFFA BOXING 13 marks a significant milestone for Dana White’s promotional venture as it stages its inaugural event in Saudi Arabia. This move is part of the broader Riyadh Season festival, an annual entertainment and sports extravaganza launched in 2019. The festival has consistently attracted major global events, with boxing becoming a prominent feature.
Saudi Arabia has solidified its position as a major player in professional boxing, hosting high-profile title fights and exhibitions. Zuffa Boxing, founded in September 2024 by UFC CEO Dana White and Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority (GEA), aims to bring a centralized, UFC-like model to the sport.
This event signals their commitment to expanding their global footprint and tapping into new markets.
The partnership between Zuffa Boxing and Riyadh Season underscores a strategic alignment to deliver premium combat sports content. This expansion follows Zuffa Boxing’s media rights agreement with Paramount Skydance, which sees events air on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada, and on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland. Such Zuffa Boxing operations reflect a dynamic shift in the promotional landscape.
Dana White had initially revealed his intentions to enter the boxing world under the “Zuffa Boxing” banner back in August 2017, spurred by the success of the Conor McGregor versus Floyd Mayweather Jr. crossover bout. After several delays, the promotion officially launched, holding its inaugural event in September 2025.
This 13th numbered event highlights the rapid pace of its operations and its growing presence in the sport.
Career trajectories: champion Carlos Adames meets resurgent Gerome Warburton
Carlos Adames, at 32 years old, brings a wealth of experience and championship pedigree to Riyadh. Born in Elías Piña, Dominican Republic, Adames began his professional career in 2015, steadily climbing through the welterweight and super welterweight divisions before finding his stride at middleweight. His journey saw him become the WBC interim champion in October 2022, defending it against Julian Williams.
In May 2024, Adames was elevated to undisputed WBC middleweight world champion after Jermall Charlo became Champion in Recess. He has since defended his belt twice, including a hard-fought draw against Hamzah Sheeraz in February 2025 in Riyadh, and a victory over Austin Williams in March 2026.
Adames has also voiced intentions to move up in weight, but ultimately opted to retain his middleweight title for now.
His opponent, Gerome Warburton, the 31-year-old Welsh southpaw from Colwyn Bay, Wales, enters this fight on the back of a career resurgence. Known as “Bread Maker,” Warburton has yet to fight at world level but has carved out a solid career in the British scene. He notably won the vacant Welsh middleweight title in May 2022, defeating Morgan Jones.
Warburton’s path has not been without setbacks. He suffered a stoppage loss to Kieron Conway in 2025 during a bid for the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles. However, he reignited his career in 2026 with back-to-back decision victories over former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney.
The second win in September 2026 also saw him claim the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title, demonstrating his improved form and ambition.
The styles clash should prove intriguing. Adames possesses significant power and aggression, while Warburton, a southpaw, is known for his defensive capabilities and clever boxing. This bout serves as a crucial measuring stick for Warburton, testing whether his recent form can translate to the elite level against a world champion.
For Adames, it’s an opportunity to stay active and sharp, albeit with the significant risk to his title standing.
Deep undercard features former world champions and unbeaten talent
Beyond the main event, RIYADH SEASON ZUFFA BOXING 13 boasts a compelling undercard, featuring a mix of established names and promising prospects. The 10-round bantamweight co-feature showcases Australian former world champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney (29-4, 20 KOs) making his Zuffa Boxing debut against Mexico’s Andres Teran (19-2, 14 KOs).
Moloney, a consensus world-ranked contender, has secured two consecutive victories in Australia, positioning himself for another championship run. Teran, meanwhile, captured attention at ZUFFA BOXING 08 in June by delivering a sixth-round knockout against the previously undefeated Floyd Diaz. This co-feature promises high-level action as both fighters aim to advance their careers.
In the super middleweight division, Bruno Surace (26-1-2, 5 KOs) is set to face Poland’s unbeaten Kamil Bednarek (17-0, 10 KOs) in another 10-round bout. Surace is just two fights removed from his “Upset of the Year” knockout victory over Jaime Munguia in December 2024.
That stunning win, where Surace stopped the then-undefeated Munguia in the sixth round, firmly established him as a force in the division.
An eight-round tilt features unbeaten lightweights, as Mexico’s Ivan Ortiz (13-0-2, 9 KOs) squares off against Dariial Kuchmenov (10-0, 8 KOs). Ortiz caused an upset in his last outing by defeating the previously unbeaten Justin Viloria.
Kuchmenov arrives with a five-fight knockout streak, having spectacularly stopped Jorge Lagunas in the fourth round of his last contest. These are the kinds of matchups that shape boxing promotion narratives.
The card also highlights two of Uzbekistan’s top emerging talents who are looking to build on successful Zuffa Boxing debuts earlier this year. Heavyweight Jakhongir Zokirov (2-0, 2 KOs) returns after stopping Zachary Spiller in two rounds at ZUFFA BOXING 08. Light heavyweight Tullo Boymatov (1-0, 1 KO) also features, following his swift victory over Caleb Hall in 2:42 at ZUFFA BOXING 06 in May.
Rounding out some of the key matchups, middleweight contender Radzhab Butaev (16-2, 12 KOs) will look to get back into winning ways against Colombian puncher Alexander Castro (15-2, 12 KOs) in a 10-round encounter. These fights collectively ensure a diverse and exciting night of boxing action for fans in Riyadh and those watching globally.
Beyond the bell: implications for the middleweight landscape
The outcome of the Carlos Adames versus Gerome Warburton fight will resonate across the middleweight division, particularly for Adames. While he has expressed an interest in moving up in weight, his decision to hold onto his WBC title keeps him firmly entrenched at 160 pounds for now.
A victory on November 14 is crucial to maintain his status and pave the way for a mandatory defense against Meiirim Nursultanobv.
For Warburton, an upset win would be transformative, immediately thrusting him into the elite conversation and earning him a significant title shot. His recent form suggests he’s peaking, but Adames represents a substantial step up in competition. This bout isn’t just about the immediate result; it’s about positioning for future opportunities in a competitive weight class.
Zuffa Boxing’s reported motive for this matchup also hints at broader strategic goals. Sources indicate that the promotion aims to use this fight to set up future UK bouts for Adames against stablemates Denzel Bentley and Aaron McKenna.
This suggests a concerted effort by Zuffa Boxing to cultivate key fighters and expand their presence in specific regional markets, potentially leading to new boxing ventures for their roster. The integration into Riyadh Season provides a high-profile platform for these promotional ambitions.
The event itself serves as a showcase for Riyadh’s growing influence in professional sports. By hosting major boxing events, the city continues to attract international talent and elevate its profile as a global sports hub. RIYADH SEASON ZUFFA BOXING 13 is another testament to this ambition, bringing world-class boxing to a rapidly expanding audience in the Middle East.
