Carlos Adames set for Zuffa debut against Gerome Warburton in Saudi Arabia

Carlos Adames, the WBC middleweight beltholder, makes his debut for Zuffa Boxing against Gerome Warburton in a non-title 10-rounder at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 14. The contracted weight limit is 165lbs.

Adames, 25-1-1 (18 KOs), last fought eight months ago, at 160lbs, when he defended his title for the third time with victory over Austin Williams. He has since signaled his intention to move up in weight, though he opted against relinquishing his world title at middleweight.

In October, the WBC granted Adames permission to compete in a non-title bout. If he loses, however, his title will be declared vacant. If victorious, WBC mandatory Meiirim Nursultanobv must come next for Adames.

The Dominican, who is based in Las Vegas, had been calling out Janibek Alimkhanuly but is now set to face Wales’ Warburton, who has yet to fight at world level.

Warburton, 18-2-2 (2 KOs), was stopped in four rounds by Kieron Conway in a 2025 bid for the British and Commonwealth middleweight titles. He returned to form this year, however, with back-to-back decision wins over Nathan Heaney.

Also on the bill is a well-matched bantamweight 10-rounder between Jason Moloney, 29-4 (20 KOs), and Andres Teran, 19-2 (14 KOs).

Other fights scheduled for 10 rounds include Bruno Surace, 26-1-2 (5 KOs), taking on Kamil Bednarek, 17-0 (10 KOs), at super middleweight and, at 160lbs, Radzhab Butaev, 16-2 (12 KOs), dueling Alexander Castro, 15-2 (12 KOs).