(November 5th) Zuffa Boxing 13 brings an intriguing international fight card to The Venue in Riyadh on Saturday, November 14, with reigning WBC middleweight champion Carlos “Caballo Bronco” Adames making his Zuffa Boxing debut against Welsh, southpaw, Gerome Warburton in a 10-round, non-title main event.

The distinction is important: Adames’ WBC middleweight championship will not be at stake. The contest has been agreed at a catchweight of 165 pounds, five pounds above the recognized middleweight limit of 160. Warburton therefore has the opportunity to defeat a reigning world champion on a major international stage, but he cannot win Adames’ WBC title in this fight.

For Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs), the assignment represents the beginning of a new promotional chapter following his successful third defense of the WBC middleweight championship against Austin “Ammo” Williams in March. The Dominican champion returns to action looking to maintain his unbeaten run of eight contests and demonstrate that he remains one of the division’s leading performers.

A former interim champion before becoming the full WBC titleholder, Adames has built his reputation on strength, pressure and heavy-handed punching. His victory over Williams reinforced his standing at middleweight, and the move to Zuffa Boxing gives him a fresh platform and the opportunity to pursue further high-profile matchups.

Standing opposite him will be Warburton (18-2-2, 2 KOs), the 31-year-old from Colwyn Bay, Wales. A former Welsh middleweight champion who has challenged for British and Commonwealth honors, Warburton enters after recording back-to-back decision victories over former British champion Nathan Heaney in 2026. He now faces the most prominent opponent of his professional career.

Although no world championship is available to him on the night, Warburton has a significant opportunity to upset the reigning champion, enhance his international reputation and put himself firmly into the conversation for bigger assignments. For Adames, however, the contest carries an unusual complication: while his title is not being defended, the consequences of defeat could still affect his championship future.

The circumstances surrounding Adames’ appearance in Riyadh add a compelling dimension to the main event. In a statement published on October 14, the World Boxing Council confirmed that it had approved Adames’ request to compete in an over-the-weight, non-title contest. The WBC also outlined conditions governing the champion’s future in the middleweight division.

The WBC stated that should Adames lose his permitted non-title contest, his middleweight title would be declared vacant. If he wins, he must next face mandatory challenger Meiirim Nursultanov. The WBC further indicated that the winner of an eventual Adames vs Nursultanov championship contest would then be required to face interim champion Jesús Ramos Jr.

Those conditions make the outcome in Riyadh particularly consequential, but they do not change the official status of the November 14 contest. Adames–Warburton remains a non-title bout at 165 pounds. The WBC championship will not be contested, and Warburton cannot become world champion by defeating Adames.

Instead, the situation places Adames in an unusual position. He is entering the ring as the reigning WBC middleweight champion, yet a defeat could cost him the championship even though the belt is not on the line. A victory would preserve his title status and leave Nursultanov as the next mandatory obstacle in his championship program.

For Warburton, the opportunity is clear: he can secure the biggest victory of his career by beating an established world champion. For Adames, the stakes are less conventional but potentially even more significant. His immediate task is to win, protect his championship standing and keep his plans for the middleweight division on course.

Adding further interest, former world champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney makes his Zuffa Boxing debut against Mexico’s Andres Teran in a 10-round bantamweight co-feature.

Moloney (29-4, 20 KOs) brings considerable championship experience into the matchup. The Australian has won two consecutive contests in his homeland and will be looking to use this international appearance to strengthen his position among the leading bantamweight contenders. Recognised for his work rate, technical discipline and willingness to engage, Moloney has the experience to make life difficult for any opponent.

Teran (19-2, 14 KOs) arrives with momentum of his own. The Mexican made a strong impression at Zuffa Boxing 08 in June, stopping previously unbeaten Floyd Diaz in the sixth round. That performance demonstrated his punching power and ability to deliver against a highly regarded opponent.

The contrasting experience and styles make this an appealing supporting attraction. Moloney will look to impose his technical ability and championship pedigree, while Teran will aim to bring the aggression and finishing power that made his previous Zuffa appearance memorable. With both men seeking to move closer to another major opportunity, the co-feature has the ingredients for an entertaining contest.

The seven-bout card also features established contenders, unbeaten prospects and international matchups across several weight divisions.

French super-middleweight Bruno Surace (26-1-2, 5 KOs) faces Poland’s unbeaten Kamil Bednarek (17-0, 10 KOs) in a 10-round contest. Surace remains best known for his stunning knockout victory over Jaime Munguia, a result that sent shockwaves through the super-middleweight division. Now two fights removed from that breakthrough triumph, he faces a difficult assignment against Bednarek, who will be determined to protect his unbeaten record and make his own mark on the international stage.

In the heavyweight division, Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Zokirov (2-0, 2 KOs) returns for a six-round contest against Brandon Colantonio (8-2, 1 KO). Zokirov has made an encouraging start to his professional career, stopping Zachary Spiller in two rounds at Zuffa Boxing 08. The young heavyweight will be looking to build on that performance and continue his development.

Middleweight contender Radzhab Butaev (16-2, 12 KOs) takes on Colombia’s Alexander Castro (15-2, 12 KOs) over 10 rounds. Both men possess respectable knockout records, making this an interesting encounter for a division that continues to attract considerable attention. Butaev will be looking to return to winning ways, while Castro has the opportunity to secure an important victory against an experienced opponent.

Unbeaten lightweight prospects also feature, with Mexico’s Ivan Ortiz (13-0-2, 9 KOs) meeting Dariial Kuchmenov (10-0, 8 KOs) in an eight-round contest. Ortiz upset previously unbeaten Justin Viloria in his last outing, while Kuchmenov enters after extending his knockout streak to five with a fourth-round stoppage of Jorge Lagunas. With both fighters still unbeaten, this matchup offers an opportunity for one to take a significant step forward.

Completing the announced seven-bout programme, Uzbekistan’s light-heavyweight prospect Rakhmatullo “Tullo” Boymatov (1-0, 1 KO) faces Ghana’s Moro Inusah Kanla (10-1, 9 KOs) over eight rounds. Boymatov made an impressive professional introduction with a stoppage victory over Caleb Hall in 2 minutes and 42 seconds at Zuffa Boxing 06 in May. Kanla represents a more experienced opponent and will be looking to spoil the young Uzbek’s progress.

The November 14 programme is built around two contrasting attractions: a non-title main event featuring a reigning world champion whose championship future nevertheless carries significant consequences, and a bantamweight co-feature pairing a former world champion with a dangerous Mexican contender.

The supporting bouts add further interest, particularly the unbeaten matchups and the appearances of emerging Uzbek talent. Across the card, established professionals and developing prospects will have an opportunity to make an impression on an international stage.

Riyadh Season Zuffa Boxing 13 takes place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will stream live on Paramount+ in the United States and Canada and air on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

With Adames seeking to protect his WBC championship status without putting the belt on the line, Warburton chasing the biggest victory of his career, and Moloney and Teran preparing to deliver an absorbing bantamweight contest, Zuffa Boxing 13 offers an intriguing night of international professional boxing.

Event: Riyadh Season Zuffa Boxing 13

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026

Venue: The Venue, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Main Event: Carlos Adames vs. Gerome Warburton — 10rds, 165-pound catchweight, non-title bout

Co-Main Event: Jason Moloney vs. Andres Teran — 10rds, bantamweight

Media: Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada; Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland.